diff --git a/vroom.pl b/vroom.pl
index 6599658..a96b7b1 100755
--- a/vroom.pl
+++ b/vroom.pl
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ helper valid_room_name => sub {
   my @reserved = qw(about help feedback feedback_thanks goodbye admin localize api
                     missing dies password kicked invitation js css img fonts snd
                     documentation);
-  if ($name !~ m/^[\w\-]{1,49}$/ || grep { $name eq $_ } @reserved){
+  if (!$name || $name !~ m/^[\w\-]{1,49}$/ || grep { $name eq $_ } @reserved){
     return 0;
   }
   return 1;