diff --git a/modules/markov.go b/modules/markov.go
index b4554ce..50097e9 100644
--- a/modules/markov.go
+++ b/modules/markov.go
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ func init() {
 }
 
 func markovHandleMessage(m *Message) {
-	if len(m.Text) == 0 || m.Text[0] == "!" {
+	if strings.HasPrefix(m.Text, "!") {
 		return
 	}
 	tok := strings.Split(m.Text, " ")