diff --git a/src/d_netcmd.c b/src/d_netcmd.c
index c8e33a57..290183e2 100644
--- a/src/d_netcmd.c
+++ b/src/d_netcmd.c
@@ -2965,7 +2965,7 @@ static void Command_MotD_f(void)
 		}
 
 	if ((netgame || multiplayer) && client)
-		SendNetXCmd(XD_SETMOTD, mymotd, sizeof(motd));
+		SendNetXCmd(XD_SETMOTD, mymotd, i); // send the actual size of the motd string, not the full buffer's size
 	else
 	{
 		strcpy(motd, mymotd);