diff --git a/code/network/multi_pxo.cpp b/code/network/multi_pxo.cpp
index 349722159ab..8a97355409e 100644
--- a/code/network/multi_pxo.cpp
+++ b/code/network/multi_pxo.cpp
@@ -3202,6 +3202,11 @@ void multi_pxo_chat_process()
 	char msg[512];
 	int msg_pixel_width;
 
+	// Bail if the input box is not ready to go
+	if (!Multi_pxo_chat_input.is_valid()) {
+		return;
+	}
+
 	// if the chat line is getting too long, fire off the message, putting the last
 	// word on the next input line.
 	memset(msg, 0, 512);
diff --git a/code/ui/inputbox.cpp b/code/ui/inputbox.cpp
index 97cc593712a..a735b9de0a9 100644
--- a/code/ui/inputbox.cpp
+++ b/code/ui/inputbox.cpp
@@ -131,6 +131,7 @@ void UI_INPUTBOX::create(UI_WINDOW *wnd, int _x, int _y, int _w, int _text_len,
 	locked = 0;
 	valid_chars = NULL;
 	invalid_chars = NULL;
+	valid = true;
 }
 
 void UI_INPUTBOX::set_valid_chars(const char *vchars)
@@ -183,6 +184,8 @@ void UI_INPUTBOX::destroy()
 		passwd_text = NULL;
 	}
 
+	valid = false;
+
 	UI_GADGET::destroy();
 }
 
@@ -497,6 +500,11 @@ int UI_INPUTBOX::pressed()
 	return pressed_down;
 }
 
+bool UI_INPUTBOX::is_valid()
+{
+	return valid;
+}
+
 void UI_INPUTBOX::get_text(char *out, size_t max_out_len)
 {
 	strncpy(out, text, max_out_len);
diff --git a/code/ui/ui.h b/code/ui/ui.h
index fe296f8ba5f..d25c6f2dd5a 100644
--- a/code/ui/ui.h
+++ b/code/ui/ui.h
@@ -293,6 +293,7 @@ class UI_INPUTBOX : public UI_GADGET
 		color *text_color;
 		char *valid_chars;
 		char *invalid_chars;
+		bool valid; // is invalid until created and then is valid until destroyed
 
 		// cursor drawing
 		int cursor_first_frame;
@@ -392,6 +393,11 @@ class UI_INPUTBOX : public UI_GADGET
 		*/
 		int pressed();
 
+		/**
+		 * @brief Returns true if valid
+		 */
+		bool is_valid();
+
 		/**
 		 * @brief Retrieves the string currently in the inputbox
 		 * @param[out] out Destination char[] to copy the string to