diff --git a/shared/utils/text.py b/shared/utils/text.py
index 324cb59..375b963 100644
--- a/shared/utils/text.py
+++ b/shared/utils/text.py
@@ -87,7 +87,10 @@ def slimdown(text):
     i_pattern = re.compile(r"(\*)(.*?)\1")
     u_pattern = re.compile(r"(__)(.*?)\1")
 
-    text, n = re.subn(b_pattern, "<b>\\2</b>", text)
-    text, n = re.subn(i_pattern, "<i>\\2</i>", text)
-    text, n = re.subn(u_pattern, "<u>\\2</u>", text)
-    return mark_safe(text)
+    if text:
+        text, n = re.subn(b_pattern, "<b>\\2</b>", text)
+        text, n = re.subn(i_pattern, "<i>\\2</i>", text)
+        text, n = re.subn(u_pattern, "<u>\\2</u>", text)
+        return mark_safe(text)
+    else:
+        return ""