diff --git a/commands/everyone.py b/commands/everyone.py
index 702e35b..e30bd98 100755
--- a/commands/everyone.py
+++ b/commands/everyone.py
@@ -485,7 +485,7 @@ class CmdRead(Command):
             if prefix:
                 prefix = prefix + "|/"
             if contents.startswith("file:"):
-                self.show_file(reader, contents[5:], prefix)
+                self.show_file(reader, contents[5:], prefix or "")
             else:
                 reader.msg(prefix + contents)