diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/whisper.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/whisper.dm
index 7bfb41ebce7..115a985710d 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/whisper.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/carbon/human/whisper.dm
@@ -44,6 +44,8 @@
 		message = Ellipsis(message, 10, 1)
 
 	message = treat_message(message)
+	if(!message)
+		return
 
 	var/list/listening_dead = list()
 	for(var/mob/M in player_list)
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/say.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/say.dm
index 398ad7fc89b..35183bbe4a2 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/say.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/say.dm
@@ -112,6 +112,8 @@ var/list/crit_allowed_modes = list(MODE_WHISPER,MODE_CHANGELING,MODE_ALIEN)
 
 	if(message_mode != MODE_WHISPER) //whisper() calls treat_message(); double process results in "hisspering"
 		message = treat_message(message)
+		if(!message)
+			return
 
 	spans += get_spans()