diff --git a/gameview.py b/gameview.py
index 406aeaf..642e63c 100644
--- a/gameview.py
+++ b/gameview.py
@@ -3689,10 +3689,12 @@ class GUI(QtGui.QWidget):
             self.sideChar.hide()
             self.sideChar.move(0,0)
         else:
-            if "effects" in self.features:
-                got_otherCharId = int(self.mChatMessage[OTHER_CHARID].split("^")[0])
-            else:
-                got_otherCharId = int(self.mChatMessage[OTHER_CHARID])
+            got_otherCharId = -1
+            if self.mChatMessage[OTHER_CHARID]:
+                if "effects" in self.features:
+                    got_otherCharId = int(self.mChatMessage[OTHER_CHARID].split("^")[0])
+                else:
+                    got_otherCharId = int(self.mChatMessage[OTHER_CHARID])
 
             if got_otherCharId > -1: # user is paired
                 self.sideChar.show()