diff --git a/code/datums/chat_message.dm b/code/datums/chat_message.dm
index 82d4aff167..e262f369dd 100644
--- a/code/datums/chat_message.dm
+++ b/code/datums/chat_message.dm
@@ -156,6 +156,8 @@ var/list/runechat_image_cache = list()
 
 	text = "[prefixes?.Join(" ")][text]"
 
+	text = encode_html_emphasis(text)
+
 	// We dim italicized text to make it more distinguishable from regular text
 	var/tgt_color = extra_classes.Find("italics") ? target.chat_color_darkened : target.chat_color