diff --git a/src/callbacks.py b/src/callbacks.py
index 0844cca8e..e254d0bc3 100644
--- a/src/callbacks.py
+++ b/src/callbacks.py
@@ -506,8 +506,11 @@ class RichReplyMethods(object):
             msg = kwargs['msg']
             if ircdb.checkCapability(msg.prefix, 'owner'):
                 v = self._getConfig(conf.supybot.replies.errorOwner)
-        s = self.__makeReply(v, s)
-        return self.reply(s, **kwargs)
+        if v:
+            s = self.__makeReply(v, s)
+            return self.reply(s, **kwargs)
+        else:
+            self.noReply()
 
     def _getTarget(self, to=None):
         """Compute the target according to self.to, the provided to,
diff --git a/src/conf.py b/src/conf.py
index 16c554451..186419931 100644
--- a/src/conf.py
+++ b/src/conf.py
@@ -676,8 +676,9 @@ registerChannelValue(supybot.replies, 'success',
 
 registerChannelValue(supybot.replies, 'error',
     registry.NormalizedString(_("""An error has occurred and has been logged.
-    Please contact this bot's administrator for more information."""), _("""
-    Determines what error message the bot gives when it wants to be
+    Please contact this bot's administrator for more information.
+    If this configuration variable is empty, no generic error message will be sent."""),
+    _("""Determines what error message the bot gives when it wants to be
     ambiguous.""")))
 
 registerChannelValue(supybot.replies, 'errorOwner',