diff --git a/handlers/handle_private.py b/handlers/handle_private.py
index c0ef4aa..8d8c5fd 100644
--- a/handlers/handle_private.py
+++ b/handlers/handle_private.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ async def handle_private(msg, state):
     lang = sender.get("language_code", "ru")
     if lang != "ru" and lang != "en":
         lang = "en"
-    if text.startswith("/"):
+    if text and text.startswith("/"):
         if text == '/start':
             await telegram_api("sendMessage", chat_id=uid, text=start_message[lang])
             state['welcome'] = True