diff --git a/actions/newnotice.php b/actions/newnotice.php
index d5b0332f48..9ee031f936 100644
--- a/actions/newnotice.php
+++ b/actions/newnotice.php
@@ -240,6 +240,10 @@ class NewnoticeAction extends Action
             $this->maybeAddRedir($fileRecord->id, $fileurl);
 
             $short_fileurl = common_shorten_url($fileurl);
+            if (!$short_fileurl) {
+                // todo -- Consider forcing default shortener if none selected?
+                $short_fileurl = $fileurl;
+            }
             $content_shortened .= ' ' . $short_fileurl;
 
             if (Notice::contentTooLong($content_shortened)) {