diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/say.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/say.dm
index 59ab34a98eb..a9ada9e2f5f 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/say.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/say.dm
@@ -60,6 +60,9 @@ var/list/crit_allowed_modes = list(MODE_WHISPER,MODE_CHANGELING,MODE_ALIEN)
 
 /mob/living/say(message, bubble_type,var/list/spans = list())
 	message = trim(copytext(sanitize(message), 1, MAX_MESSAGE_LEN))
+	if(!message || message == "")
+		return
+
 
 	if(stat == DEAD)
 		say_dead(message)
@@ -93,9 +96,6 @@ 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()
 
 	//Log of what we've said, plain message, no spans or junk