diff --git a/VPLink/Services/VirtualParadiseMessageService.cs b/VPLink/Services/VirtualParadiseMessageService.cs
index c730b01..2c028b5 100644
--- a/VPLink/Services/VirtualParadiseMessageService.cs
+++ b/VPLink/Services/VirtualParadiseMessageService.cs
@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@ private void OnVPMessageReceived(VirtualParadiseMessage message)
         if (message is null) throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(message));
         if (_virtualParadiseClient.CurrentWorld is null) return;
         if (message.Type != MessageType.ChatMessage) return;
+        if (message.Author is null) return;
         if (message.Author == _virtualParadiseClient.CurrentAvatar) return;
         if (message.Author.IsBot && !_configurationService.BotConfiguration.RelayBotMessages) return;