diff --git a/src/modules/reply.js b/src/modules/reply.js
index 545fec3..1e1d5ea 100644
--- a/src/modules/reply.js
+++ b/src/modules/reply.js
@@ -1,10 +1,16 @@
 const attachments = require("../data/attachments");
+const utils = require('../utils');
 
 module.exports = (bot, knex, config, commands) => {
   // Mods can reply to modmail threads using !r or !reply
   // These messages get relayed back to the DM thread between the bot and the user
-  commands.addInboxThreadCommand('reply', '<text$>', async (msg, args, thread) => {
-    const replied = await thread.replyToUser(msg.member, args.text, msg.attachments, false);
+  commands.addInboxThreadCommand('reply', '[text$]', async (msg, args, thread) => {
+    if (! args.text && msg.attachments.length === 0) {
+      utils.postError(msg.channel, 'Text or attachment required');
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const replied = await thread.replyToUser(msg.member, args.text || '', msg.attachments, false);
     if (replied) msg.delete();
   }, {
     aliases: ['r']
@@ -12,8 +18,13 @@ module.exports = (bot, knex, config, commands) => {
 
 
   // Anonymous replies only show the role, not the username
-  commands.addInboxThreadCommand('anonreply', '<text$>', async (msg, args, thread) => {
-    const replied = await thread.replyToUser(msg.member, args.text, msg.attachments, true);
+  commands.addInboxThreadCommand('anonreply', '[text$]', async (msg, args, thread) => {
+    if (! args.text && msg.attachments.length === 0) {
+      utils.postError(msg.channel, 'Text or attachment required');
+      return;
+    }
+
+    const replied = await thread.replyToUser(msg.member, args.text || '', msg.attachments, true);
     if (replied) msg.delete();
   }, {
     aliases: ['ar']