diff --git a/mitterlib/ui/ui_pygtk.py b/mitterlib/ui/ui_pygtk.py
index cd42c80..edaa06c 100644
--- a/mitterlib/ui/ui_pygtk.py
+++ b/mitterlib/ui/ui_pygtk.py
@@ -487,9 +487,19 @@ class Interface(object):
 
         status = self._update_field.text.strip()
         if not status:
+            _log.debug('Empty message, aborting.')
             self._update_field.hide()
             return
 
+        page = self._main_tabs.get_current_page()
+        child = self._main_tabs.get_nth_page(page)
+        if child.selected:
+            if child.selected.reply_prefix.strip() == status:
+                _log.debug('Empty reply, aborting.')
+                self._udpate_field.hide()
+                return
+
+
         _log.debug('Status: %s', status)
 
         self._update_statusbar(_('Sending update...'))