diff --git a/assistant/assistant.py b/assistant/assistant.py
index 56b6429..62eefaf 100644
--- a/assistant/assistant.py
+++ b/assistant/assistant.py
@@ -110,6 +110,10 @@ class Assistant(commands.Cog):
             await message.reply("No response from the assistant.")
             return
 
+        if not reply.strip():
+            await message.reply("*(The assistant returned an empty response.)*")
+            return
+
         if len(reply) <= 2000:
             await message.reply(reply)
         else: