diff --git a/nanobot/channels/matrix.py b/nanobot/channels/matrix.py
index 2e0b4de6d..3a0fba8f1 100644
--- a/nanobot/channels/matrix.py
+++ b/nanobot/channels/matrix.py
@@ -524,7 +524,7 @@ class MatrixChannel(BaseChannel):
                         failures.append(fail)
             if failures:
                 text = f"{text.rstrip()}\n{chr(10).join(failures)}" if text.strip() else "\n".join(failures)
-            if text or not candidates:
+            if text.strip():
                 content = _build_matrix_text_content(text)
                 if relates_to:
                     content["m.relates_to"] = relates_to
diff --git a/tests/channels/test_matrix_channel.py b/tests/channels/test_matrix_channel.py
index bf7a09e23..8fbe2c119 100644
--- a/tests/channels/test_matrix_channel.py
+++ b/tests/channels/test_matrix_channel.py
@@ -1246,6 +1246,44 @@ async def test_send_progress_keeps_typing_keepalive_running() -> None:
     await channel.stop()
 
 
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_send_empty_content_does_not_call_room_send() -> None:
+    """Progress messages with empty content must not produce an empty body: '' event."""
+    channel = MatrixChannel(_make_config(), MessageBus())
+    client = _FakeAsyncClient("", "", "", None)
+    channel.client = client
+
+    await channel.send(
+        OutboundMessage(
+            channel="matrix",
+            chat_id="!room:matrix.org",
+            content="",
+            metadata={"_progress": True},
+        )
+    )
+
+    assert client.room_send_calls == []
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_send_whitespace_only_content_does_not_call_room_send() -> None:
+    """Progress messages with whitespace-only content must not produce an empty message."""
+    channel = MatrixChannel(_make_config(), MessageBus())
+    client = _FakeAsyncClient("", "", "", None)
+    channel.client = client
+
+    await channel.send(
+        OutboundMessage(
+            channel="matrix",
+            chat_id="!room:matrix.org",
+            content="   \n\n  ",
+            metadata={"_progress": True},
+        )
+    )
+
+    assert client.room_send_calls == []
+
+
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
 async def test_send_clears_typing_when_send_fails() -> None:
     channel = MatrixChannel(_make_config(), MessageBus())