diff --git a/pinhook/bot.py b/pinhook/bot.py
index d083a34..19aaa03 100644
--- a/pinhook/bot.py
+++ b/pinhook/bot.py
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ class Bot(irc.bot.SingleServerIRCBot):
             for lstnr in pinhook.plugin.lstnrs:
                 try:
                     self.logger.debug('whispering to listener: {}'.format(lstnr))
-                    output = pinhook.plugin.lstnrs[lstnr](self.Message(
+                    listen_output = pinhook.plugin.lstnrs[lstnr](self.Message(
                         channel=chan,
                         text=text,
                         nick_list=nick_list,
@@ -196,10 +196,12 @@ class Bot(irc.bot.SingleServerIRCBot):
                         ops=self.ops,
                         logger=self.logger
                     ))
-                    self.logger.debug(output.msg_type)
-                    self.logger.debug(output.msg)
+                    self.logger.debug(listen_output.msg)
+                    if listen_output:
+                        output = listen_output
                 except Exception as e:
                     self.logger.exception('issue with listener {}'.format(lstnr))
+        self.logger.debug(f'returning output: {output.msg}')
         return output
 
     def process_event(self, c, e):
@@ -237,6 +239,7 @@ class Bot(irc.bot.SingleServerIRCBot):
             }
             output = self.call_plugins(**plugin_info)
         if output:
+            self.logger.debug(f'sending output: {output.msg}')
             self.process_output(c, chan, output)
 
     def process_output(self, c, chan, output):