diff --git a/discordbot.py b/discordbot.py
index 191d37f..37d15a2 100644
--- a/discordbot.py
+++ b/discordbot.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
     bot.endpoint = bot.endpoint.split("/api")[0]
 bot.chatlog_dir = "chatlog_dir"
 bot.endpoint_connected = False
-bot.always_reply = ALWAYS_REPLY.lower() == "t"
+bot.always_reply = (ALWAYS_REPLY or "T").lower() == "t"
 print(f"ALWAYS_REPLY: {bot.always_reply}")
 bot.channel_id = CHANNEL_ID
 bot.num_lines_to_keep = int(CHAT_HISTORY_LINE_LIMIT)