diff --git a/earwigbot/irc/watcher.py b/earwigbot/irc/watcher.py
index dbb1150..f000781 100644
--- a/earwigbot/irc/watcher.py
+++ b/earwigbot/irc/watcher.py
@@ -122,4 +122,4 @@ class Watcher(IRCConnection):
             if chans and frontend and not frontend.is_stopped():
                 pretty = rc.prettify()
                 for chan in chans:
-                    frontend.say(chan, pretty[:500 - len(chan)])
+                    frontend.say(chan, pretty[:400])