diff --git a/briar-gtk/briar_gtk/containers/main_window.py b/briar-gtk/briar_gtk/containers/main_window.py
index 698340cf36d8e77a24f8e19add2a9d950be0c6dc..f2e9a8959f32b7736c33d336221172b54a6d7528 100644
--- a/briar-gtk/briar_gtk/containers/main_window.py
+++ b/briar-gtk/briar_gtk/containers/main_window.py
@@ -141,6 +141,8 @@ class MainWindowContainer(Container):
         self.chat_entry.grab_focus()
 
     def _on_chat_entry_activate(self, widget):
+        if len(widget.get_text()) == 0:
+            return
         self._current_private_chat_widget.send_message(widget)
         self._refresh_contacts()