diff --git a/mesh_bot.py b/mesh_bot.py
index e0c7999..4fc4a8d 100755
--- a/mesh_bot.py
+++ b/mesh_bot.py
@@ -271,14 +271,16 @@ def handle_ping(message_from_id, deviceID,  message, hop, snr, rssi, isDM, chann
 
         # check for ping to @nodeID and allow BBS DM
         toNode = message.split("@")[1].strip().split(" ")[0]
-        toNode = get_num_from_short_name(toNode, deviceID)
-        if toNode and isinstance(toNode, int) and toNode != 0:
-            if bbs_enabled:
-                msg_result = None
-                logger.debug(f"System: Sending ping as BBS DM to @{toNode} from {get_name_from_number(message_from_id, 'short', deviceID)}")
-                msg_result = bbs_post_dm(toNode, f"Joke for you! {tell_joke()}", message_from_id)
-                # exit the function
-                return msg_result if msg_result else logger.warning(f"System: ping @nodeID detected but no BBS to send with, enable BBS in settings.ini")
+        # validate toNode is shortname
+        if len(toNode) <= 4:
+            toNode = get_num_from_short_name(toNode, deviceID)
+            if toNode and isinstance(toNode, int) and toNode != 0:
+                if bbs_enabled:
+                    msg_result = None
+                    logger.debug(f"System: Sending ping as BBS DM to @{toNode} from {get_name_from_number(message_from_id, 'short', deviceID)}")
+                    msg_result = bbs_post_dm(toNode, f"Joke for you! {tell_joke()}", message_from_id)
+                    # exit the function
+                    return msg_result if msg_result else logger.warning(f"System: ping @nodeID detected but no BBS to send with, enable BBS in settings.ini")
 
     elif "#" in message:
         msg = msg + " #" + message.split("#")[1]