diff --git a/src/main/kotlin/org/briarproject/briar/desktop/conversation/ConversationViewModel.kt b/src/main/kotlin/org/briarproject/briar/desktop/conversation/ConversationViewModel.kt
index 235306c1506902c441a64229528f6e7d034788e0..a1c864d2019ed1eb56ac53d6262e2c96a4d6e25d 100644
--- a/src/main/kotlin/org/briarproject/briar/desktop/conversation/ConversationViewModel.kt
+++ b/src/main/kotlin/org/briarproject/briar/desktop/conversation/ConversationViewModel.kt
@@ -83,11 +83,12 @@ constructor(
     fun sendMessage() {
         try {
             val text = _newMessage.value
-            _newMessage.value = ""
 
             // don't send empty or blank messages
             if (text.isBlank()) return
 
+            _newMessage.value = ""
+
             val start = LogUtils.now()
             val m = createMessage(text)
             messagingManager.addLocalMessage(m)