diff --git a/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/commands/Commandmsg.java b/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/commands/Commandmsg.java
index 2e1011e3b..2b7be976e 100644
--- a/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/commands/Commandmsg.java
+++ b/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/commands/Commandmsg.java
@@ -21,11 +21,11 @@ public class Commandmsg extends EssentialsCommand
 	@Override
 	public void run(Server server, CommandSender sender, String commandLabel, String[] args) throws Exception
 	{
-		if (args.length < 2 || args[0].trim().isEmpty() || args[1].trim().isEmpty())
+		if (args.length < 2 || args[0].trim().length() < 3  || args[1].trim().isEmpty())
 		{
 			throw new NotEnoughArgumentsException();
 		}
-
+	
 		String message = getFinalArg(args, 1);
 		if (sender instanceof Player)
 		{
diff --git a/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/commands/Commandpay.java b/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/commands/Commandpay.java
index ed9a6bc29..08d024636 100644
--- a/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/commands/Commandpay.java
+++ b/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/commands/Commandpay.java
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ public class Commandpay extends EssentialsCommand
 			throw new NotEnoughArgumentsException();
 		}
 		
-		if (args[0] == "")
+		if (args[0].trim().length() < 3)
 		{
 			throw new NotEnoughArgumentsException("You need to specify a player to pay.");
 		}