JOSM, can't combine ways

No matter what I do, I can’t seem to combine 2 ways. Always get this error msg
“Could not combine ways, they could not be merged into a single string of nodes”

I have 2 ways, going in the same direction, 2 ends are close to each other.
What could I be missing?

This action only works when the ways are connected. Use M to merge the nodes so that the two ways are connected. Use Combine only
when you want to have one way with the tags and nodes of both and note that this can destroy the history of the older way.

Another reason this can happen is that there is a short section of a way separating the two ways you’re trying to combine. Sometimes you’re zoomed in so far that little section is invisible.

Thanks, I needed to merge the nodes.