diff --git a/vocodes/src/modes/speak/Form.tsx b/vocodes/src/modes/speak/Form.tsx
index ba0f1f225e..67e9ad2e4b 100644
--- a/vocodes/src/modes/speak/Form.tsx
+++ b/vocodes/src/modes/speak/Form.tsx
@@ -222,12 +222,25 @@ class Form extends React.Component<Props, State> {
     this.textarea?.focus();
   }
 
+  nonSpaceCharacterCount() : number {
+    return this.props.currentText.trim().length;
+  }
+
+  remainingCharacterCount() : number {
+    return this.props.textCharacterLimit - this.props.currentText.length;
+  }
+
   public render() {
-    let remainingCharacters = this.props.textCharacterLimit - this.props.currentText.length;
+    const nonWhitespaceCharacters = this.nonSpaceCharacterCount();
+    const remainingCharacters = this.remainingCharacterCount();
 
     let remainingCharactersButtonDisabled = false;
     let remainingCharactersClassName = "";
 
+    if (nonWhitespaceCharacters === 0) {
+      remainingCharactersButtonDisabled= true;
+    }
+
     if (remainingCharacters < 0) {
       remainingCharactersButtonDisabled= true;
       remainingCharactersClassName = "has-text-danger";