diff --git a/Essentials/src/main/java/com/earth2me/essentials/commands/Commandpay.java b/Essentials/src/main/java/com/earth2me/essentials/commands/Commandpay.java
index be83eefec..7d8ffed0e 100644
--- a/Essentials/src/main/java/com/earth2me/essentials/commands/Commandpay.java
+++ b/Essentials/src/main/java/com/earth2me/essentials/commands/Commandpay.java
@@ -43,8 +43,18 @@ public class Commandpay extends EssentialsLoopCommand {
             throw new Exception(tl("minimumPayAmount", NumberUtil.displayCurrencyExactly(ess.getSettings().getMinimumPayAmount(), ess)));
         }
         final AtomicBoolean informToConfirm = new AtomicBoolean(false);
-        loopOnlinePlayersConsumer(server, user.getSource(), false, user.isAuthorized("essentials.pay.multiple"), args[0], player -> {
+        final boolean canPayOffline = user.isAuthorized("essentials.pay.offline");
+        if (!canPayOffline && args[0].equals("**")) {
+            user.sendMessage(tl("payOffline"));
+            return;
+        }
+        loopOfflinePlayersConsumer(server, user.getSource(), false, user.isAuthorized("essentials.pay.multiple"), args[0], player -> {
             try {
+                if (player.getBase() != null && !player.getBase().isOnline() && !canPayOffline) {
+                    user.sendMessage(tl("payOffline"));
+                    return;
+                }
+
                 if (!player.isAcceptingPay() || (ess.getSettings().isPayExcludesIgnoreList() && player.isIgnoredPlayer(user))) {
                     user.sendMessage(tl("notAcceptingPay", player.getDisplayName()));
                     return;
diff --git a/Essentials/src/main/resources/messages.properties b/Essentials/src/main/resources/messages.properties
index 6c9a9b190..a7eaef9a4 100644
--- a/Essentials/src/main/resources/messages.properties
+++ b/Essentials/src/main/resources/messages.properties
@@ -567,6 +567,7 @@ payConfirmToggleOn=\u00a76You will now be prompted to confirm payments.
 payDisabledFor=\u00a76Disabled accepting payments for \u00a7c{0}\u00a76.
 payEnabledFor=\u00a76Enabled accepting payments for \u00a7c{0}\u00a76.
 payMustBePositive=\u00a74Amount to pay must be positive.
+payOffline=\u00a74You cannot pay offline users.
 payToggleOff=\u00a76You are no longer accepting payments.
 payToggleOn=\u00a76You are now accepting payments.
 payconfirmtoggleCommandDescription=Toggles whether you are prompted to confirm payments.