diff --git a/code/modules/mob/say_vr.dm b/code/modules/mob/say_vr.dm
index 35c7069d73..23bfab7a95 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/say_vr.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/say_vr.dm
@@ -87,6 +87,8 @@ proc/get_top_level_mob(var/mob/S)
 					alert("Unable to use this emote, must be either hearable or visible.")
 					return
 			message = subtle_emote
+		else
+			return FALSE
 	else
 		message = params
 		if(type_override)