diff --git a/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/commands/Commandmute.java b/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/commands/Commandmute.java
index f9e051c91..2376ca422 100644
--- a/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/commands/Commandmute.java
+++ b/Essentials/src/com/earth2me/essentials/commands/Commandmute.java
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ public class Commandmute extends EssentialsCommand
 		}
 
 		final User player = getPlayer(server, args, 0, true);
-		if (!player.isMuted() && player.isAuthorized("essentials.mute.exempt"))
+		if (sender instanceof Player && !player.isMuted() && player.isAuthorized("essentials.mute.exempt"))
 		{
 			throw new Exception(_("muteExempt"));
 		}
@@ -69,4 +69,4 @@ public class Commandmute extends EssentialsCommand
 			player.sendMessage(_("playerUnmuted"));
 		}
 	}
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}