diff --git a/runelite-client/src/main/java/net/runelite/client/plugins/chatfilter/ChatFilterPlugin.java b/runelite-client/src/main/java/net/runelite/client/plugins/chatfilter/ChatFilterPlugin.java
index fab8a1f668..355ed29b28 100644
--- a/runelite-client/src/main/java/net/runelite/client/plugins/chatfilter/ChatFilterPlugin.java
+++ b/runelite-client/src/main/java/net/runelite/client/plugins/chatfilter/ChatFilterPlugin.java
@@ -141,6 +141,11 @@ public class ChatFilterPlugin extends Plugin
 
 		String message = censorMessage(event.getOverheadText());
 
+		if (message == null)
+		{
+			message = " ";
+		}
+
 		event.getActor().setOverheadText(message);
 	}