diff --git a/www/assets/js/client.js b/www/assets/js/client.js
index 13511aae..3e31c51d 100644
--- a/www/assets/js/client.js
+++ b/www/assets/js/client.js
@@ -242,7 +242,7 @@ $("#chatline").keydown(function(ev) {
         }
         else {
             var msg = $("#chatline").val();
-            if(USEROPTS.modhat) {
+            if(USEROPTS.modhat && RANK >= Rank.Moderator) {
                 msg = "/m " + msg
             }
             socket.emit("chatMsg", {