diff --git a/lib/models/links.js b/lib/models/links.js
index 7a92c18e..ab8fd17b 100644
--- a/lib/models/links.js
+++ b/lib/models/links.js
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ module.exports.add = (url, campaignId, callback) => {
 };
 
 module.exports.updateLinks = (campaign, list, subscription, serviceUrl, message, callback) => {
-    if (campaign.trackingDisabled) {
+    if (campaign.trackingDisabled || !message.trim()) {
         // tracking is disabled, do not modify the message
         return setImmediate(() => callback(null, message));
     }