diff --git a/mautrix_telegram/formatter/from_matrix/__init__.py b/mautrix_telegram/formatter/from_matrix/__init__.py
index f8a1119e..2adc76ac 100644
--- a/mautrix_telegram/formatter/from_matrix/__init__.py
+++ b/mautrix_telegram/formatter/from_matrix/__init__.py
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ def matrix_to_telegram(html: str) -> ParsedMessage:
 def matrix_reply_to_telegram(content: Dict[str, Any], tg_space: TelegramID,
                              room_id: Optional[MatrixRoomID] = None) -> Optional[TelegramID]:
     try:
-        reply = content.get("m.relates_to", {}).get("m.in_reply_to", {})
+        reply = (content.get("m.relates_to", None) or {}).get("m.in_reply_to", {})
         if not reply:
             return None
         room_id = room_id or reply["room_id"]