diff --git a/gameview.py b/gameview.py
index 2922700..8ef58ee 100644
--- a/gameview.py
+++ b/gameview.py
@@ -333,7 +333,7 @@ class AOCharMovie(QtGui.QLabel):
 
         original_path = test_path(
             AOpath+"characters/"+p_char+"/"+emote_prefix+p_emote+".gif",
-            AOpath+"characters/"+p_char+"/"+emote_prefix+p_emote+".gif",
+            AOpath+"characters/"+p_char+"/"+emote_prefix+"/"+p_emote+".gif",
             AOpath+"characters/"+p_char+"/"+p_emote+".gif",
             AOpath+"characters/"+p_char+"/(a)"+p_emote+".gif"
         )
@@ -396,6 +396,7 @@ class AOCharMovie(QtGui.QLabel):
 
                         if exists(placeholder_path):
                             gif_path = placeholder_path
+                            print "[debug] Sprite not found: ", p_char, p_emote, emote_prefix, original_path, alt_path, apng_path
                         else:
                             gif_path = ""
                         self.use_pillow = 0
@@ -406,6 +407,7 @@ class AOCharMovie(QtGui.QLabel):
             if gif_path == "":
                 if exists(placeholder_path):
                     gif_path = placeholder_path
+                    print "[debug] Sprite not found: ", p_char, p_emote, emote_prefix, original_path, alt_path, apng_path
                 else:
                     gif_path = ""
         else:
@@ -2769,6 +2771,9 @@ class GUI(QtGui.QWidget):
         f_char = m_chatmessage[CHARNAME]
         evidence = int(m_chatmessage[EVIDENCE])-1
         
+        # Some characters use " - " instead of "-" for no preanim.
+        m_chatmessage[PREANIM] = m_chatmessage[PREANIM].strip()
+        
         t = time.localtime()
         logcharname = f_char
         
@@ -3000,6 +3005,7 @@ class GUI(QtGui.QWidget):
         
         side = self.m_chatmessage[SIDE]
         emote_mod = int(self.m_chatmessage[EMOTE_MOD])
+        no_preanim = not self.m_chatmessage[PREANIM] or self.m_chatmessage[PREANIM] == "-"
 
         # AO 2.8: always offset player
         hor_offset = vert_offset = 0
@@ -3111,15 +3117,15 @@ class GUI(QtGui.QWidget):
                 # self.play_sfx()
             self.set_desk(True)
             self.play_preanim(False)
-        elif emote_mod == 0 or emote_mod == 5 or self.m_chatmessage[PREANIM] == "-":
-            if self.m_chatmessage[NO_INTERRUPT] == "0" or self.m_chatmessage[PREANIM] == "-":
+        elif emote_mod == 0 or emote_mod == 5 or no_preanim:
+            if self.m_chatmessage[NO_INTERRUPT] == "0" or no_preanim:
                 self.handle_chatmessage_3()
             else:
                 self.play_preanim(True)
             
     def play_preanim(self, noninterrupting):
         f_char = self.m_chatmessage[CHARNAME].lower()
-        f_preanim = self.m_chatmessage[PREANIM]
+        f_preanim = self.m_chatmessage[PREANIM].strip()
         
         ao2_duration = ini.read_ini_int(AOpath+"characters/"+f_char+"/char.ini", "time", f_preanim, -1)
         text_delay = ini.read_ini_int(AOpath+"characters/"+f_char+"/char.ini", "textdelay", f_preanim, -1)