diff --git a/static/assets/js/chat.js b/static/assets/js/chat.js
index d643db0..a4c2ffc 100644
--- a/static/assets/js/chat.js
+++ b/static/assets/js/chat.js
@@ -1017,7 +1017,8 @@ function chatThreadSendReply() {
     var rootId = chatCurrentThreadRootId;
     if (!input || !rootId) return;
     var message = input.value.trim();
-    if (!message) return;
+    var fileIds = chatThreadComposerFileIds.slice();
+    if (!message && !fileIds.length) return;
 
     var rootPost = chatPostsById[rootId];
     if (!rootPost) return;
@@ -1026,7 +1027,7 @@ function chatThreadSendReply() {
     chatApiFetch('/posts', {
         method: 'POST',
         headers: {'Content-Type': 'application/json'},
-        body: JSON.stringify({channel_id: rootPost.channel_id, message: message, root_id: rootId, file_ids: chatThreadComposerFileIds}),
+        body: JSON.stringify({channel_id: rootPost.channel_id, message: message, root_id: rootId, file_ids: fileIds}),
     }).then(function (post) {
         input.value = '';
         chatThreadComposerFileIds = [];
@@ -1053,10 +1054,10 @@ function chatSendMessage() {
     var input = document.getElementById('chat-composer-input');
     if (!input || !chatCurrentChannelId) return;
     var message = input.value.trim();
-    if (!message) return;
+    var fileIds = chatComposerFileIds.slice();
+    if (!message && !fileIds.length) return;
 
     var channelId = chatCurrentChannelId;
-    var fileIds = chatComposerFileIds.slice();
     input.disabled = true;
     chatApiFetch('/posts', {
         method: 'POST',