diff --git a/static/chat/index.js b/static/chat/index.js
index 980d8ff..6e4610e 100755
--- a/static/chat/index.js
+++ b/static/chat/index.js
@@ -98,9 +98,9 @@ $(function() {
     // Send a new message to the general channel
     var $input = $('#chat-input');
     $input.on('keydown', function(e) {
-        if (e.keyCode == 13) {
+        if (e.keyCode == 13 && generalChannel) {
             generalChannel.sendMessage($input.val())
             $input.val('');
         }
     });
-});
\ No newline at end of file
+});