diff --git a/src/command/index.js b/src/command/index.js
index <HASH>..<HASH> 100644
--- a/src/command/index.js
+++ b/src/command/index.js
@@ -34,6 +34,9 @@ module.exports = function( b9 ){
    * @private listener
    */
   b9.on('message', function( msg, reply ){
+    if ( !msg.text ){
+      return;
+    }
     // {array} argument vector
     var argv = msg.text.split(/ +/), cmd, i = 1, direct;
     // indicates a specific [start of message] mention
diff --git a/src/command/test.js b/src/command/test.js
index <HASH>..<HASH> 100644
--- a/src/command/test.js
+++ b/src/command/test.js
@@ -104,6 +104,14 @@ describe('src/command',function(){
 
   });
 
+  it('does not crash on text-less messages',function(){
+
+    assert.doesNotThrow(function(){
+      bot.emit('message', { channel:'D' });
+    });
+
+  });
+
   // simulate receiving a command
   function simulate ( str, reply ){
     bot.emit('message',{
fix crash on message events that have no text