diff --git a/src/common/connection.py b/src/common/connection.py
index 95258167a..79d7eddbf 100644
--- a/src/common/connection.py
+++ b/src/common/connection.py
@@ -829,7 +829,7 @@ class Connection:
 			self.connection.send(p)
 			self.dispatch('STATUS', show)
 
-	def send_message(self, jid, msg, keyID):
+	def send_message(self, jid, msg, keyID, type = 'chat'):
 		if not self.connection:
 			return
 		if not msg:
@@ -840,7 +840,7 @@ class Connection:
 			#encrypt
 			msgenc = self.gpg.encrypt(msg, [keyID])
 			if msgenc: msgtxt = _('[this message is encrypted]')
-		msg_iq = common.xmpp.Message(to = jid, body = msgtxt, typ = 'chat')
+		msg_iq = common.xmpp.Message(to = jid, body = msgtxt, typ = type)
 		if msgenc:
 			msg_iq.setTag(common.xmpp.NS_ENCRYPTED + ' x').setData(msgenc)
 		self.to_be_sent.insert(0, msg_iq)