diff --git a/bottools/methods.py b/bottools/methods.py
index e641ddc..d63e489 100644
--- a/bottools/methods.py
+++ b/bottools/methods.py
@@ -208,13 +208,13 @@ def reply(bot, update, args):
 
    for m in re.split('[^\w@]+', otweet.text):
     try:
-     if m[0] == "@":
+     if m[0] == "@" and m[0].strip() != "":
       mentions += [m]
     except:
      pass
 
    for m in mentions:
-    if m in args or m =="@%s" % two.whoami().strip("@") or m == "@%s" % sender.strip("@"):
+    if m in args or m.strip() == "" or m =="@%s" % two.whoami().strip("@") or m == "@%s" % sender.strip("@"):
      mentions.remove(m)
 
   else: