diff --git a/plugins/Dict.py b/plugins/Dict.py
index dd8d1ff15..c8100a82d 100644
--- a/plugins/Dict.py
+++ b/plugins/Dict.py
@@ -126,6 +126,8 @@ class Dict(callbacks.Privmsg):
                                   'dictionary: %s.', msg.args[0], default)
                 dictionary = '*'
         word = privmsgs.getArgs(args)
+        if not word:
+            irc.error('You must give a word to define.', Raise=True)
         definitions = conn.define(dictionary, word)
         dbs = sets.Set()
         if not definitions:
diff --git a/test/test_Dict.py b/test/test_Dict.py
index 4b0e341d6..7475dfa9a 100644
--- a/test/test_Dict.py
+++ b/test/test_Dict.py
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ if network:
         def testDict(self):
             self.assertNotError('dict slash')
             self.assertNotRegexp('dict web1913 slash', 'foldoc')
-            self.assertNotError('dict ""')
+            self.assertError('dict ""')
 
         def testDictionaries(self):
             self.assertNotError('dictionaries')