diff --git a/telematrix/__init__.py b/telematrix/__init__.py
index 60844a8..7cee81b 100644
--- a/telematrix/__init__.py
+++ b/telematrix/__init__.py
@@ -237,15 +237,15 @@ async def matrix_transaction(request):
                     continue
 
                 if content['msgtype'] == 'm.text':
-                    prefix = '<' + displayname + '> ' if displayname != ''
+                    prefix = '' if displayname == '' else '<' + displayname + '> '
                     msg, mode = format_matrix_msg('{}{}', prefix, content)
                     response = await group.send_text(msg, parse_mode=mode)
                 elif content['msgtype'] == 'm.notice':
-                    prefix = '[' + displayname + '] ' if displayname != ''
+                    prefix = '' if displayname == '' else '[' + displayname + '] '
                     msg, mode = format_matrix_msg('{}{}', prefix, content)
                     response = await group.send_text(msg, parse_mode=mode)
                 elif content['msgtype'] == 'm.emote':
-                    prefix = '* ' + displayname + ' ' if displayname != ''
+                    prefix = '' if displayname == '' else '* ' + displayname + ' '
                     msg, mode = format_matrix_msg('{}{}', prefix, content)
                     response = await group.send_text(msg, parse_mode=mode)
                 elif content['msgtype'] == 'm.image':