diff --git a/src/snek/static/chat-input.js b/src/snek/static/chat-input.js
index 4fd2845..6bace32 100644
--- a/src/snek/static/chat-input.js
+++ b/src/snek/static/chat-input.js
@@ -46,6 +46,11 @@ class ChatInputElement extends HTMLElement {
         })
 
         this.container.querySelector('button').addEventListener('click', (e) => {
+            
+            const message = me.textBox.value.trim();
+            if(!message){
+                return 
+            }
             this.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent("submit", { detail: me.textBox.value, bubbles: true }))
             setTimeout(()=>{
                 me.textBox.value = ''