diff --git a/src/net/java/sip/communicator/impl/protocol/irc/OperationSetBasicInstantMessagingIrcImpl.java b/src/net/java/sip/communicator/impl/protocol/irc/OperationSetBasicInstantMessagingIrcImpl.java
index aa1f62ea5..3154e188a 100644
--- a/src/net/java/sip/communicator/impl/protocol/irc/OperationSetBasicInstantMessagingIrcImpl.java
+++ b/src/net/java/sip/communicator/impl/protocol/irc/OperationSetBasicInstantMessagingIrcImpl.java
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ public void sendInstantMessage(final Contact to, final Message original)
 
                 try
                 {
-                    if (message.isCommand())
+                    if (!event.isMessageEncrypted() && message.isCommand())
                     {
                         this.provider.getIrcStack().command(to, message);
                     }