diff --git a/lib/pangea/toolbar/widgets/message_selection_overlay.dart b/lib/pangea/toolbar/widgets/message_selection_overlay.dart
index 10e772962..c5327dac3 100644
--- a/lib/pangea/toolbar/widgets/message_selection_overlay.dart
+++ b/lib/pangea/toolbar/widgets/message_selection_overlay.dart
@@ -112,6 +112,10 @@ class MessageOverlayController extends State<MessageSelectionOverlay>
 
   Future<void> initializeTokensAndMode() async {
     try {
+      if (pangeaMessageEvent?.event.messageType != MessageTypes.Text) {
+        return;
+      }
+
       RepresentationEvent? repEvent =
           pangeaMessageEvent?.messageDisplayRepresentation;
       repEvent ??= await _fetchNewRepEvent();