diff --git a/clients/urwid/main.py b/clients/urwid/main.py
index 85077f9..e9c6e59 100644
--- a/clients/urwid/main.py
+++ b/clients/urwid/main.py
@@ -1982,6 +1982,18 @@ class ExternalEditor(urwid.Terminal):
 
 
     def exterminate(self, *_, anon_confirmed=False):
+        # close the editor and grab the post body
+        app.close_editor()
+        with open(self.path) as _:
+            body = _.read().strip()
+        os.remove(self.path)
+
+        # make sure its not empty
+        if not body or re.search("^>>[0-9]+$", body):
+            app.temp_footer_message("EMPTY POST DISCARDED")
+            return
+
+        # are we anonymous? check if the user wants to log in first
         if app.prefs["confirm_anon"] \
            and not anon_confirmed    \
            and app.network.user["user_name"] == "anonymous":
@@ -2020,27 +2032,20 @@ class ExternalEditor(urwid.Terminal):
                 log_in(True)
             app.loop.start()
 
-        app.close_editor()
-        with open(self.path) as _:
-            body = _.read().strip()
-        os.remove(self.path)
+        # ok; do the post
+        self.params.update({"body": body})
+        app.network.request(self.endpoint, **self.params)
+        if self.endpoint == "edit_post":
+            app.refresh()
+            app.goto_post(self.params["post_id"])
 
-        if body and not re.search("^>>[0-9]+$", body):
-            self.params.update({"body": body})
-            app.network.request(self.endpoint, **self.params)
-            if self.endpoint == "edit_post":
-                app.refresh()
-                app.goto_post(self.params["post_id"])
+        elif app.mode == "thread":
+            app.refresh()
+            app.goto_post(app.thread["reply_count"])
 
-            elif app.mode == "thread":
-                app.refresh()
-                app.goto_post(app.thread["reply_count"])
-
-            else:
-                app.last_pos = None
-                app.index()
         else:
-            app.temp_footer_message("EMPTY POST DISCARDED")
+            app.last_pos = None
+            app.index()
 
 
     def keypress(self, size, key):