diff --git a/examples/reinforcement_learning.py b/examples/reinforcement_learning.py
index e7d9362b9..5d3d96ccf 100644
--- a/examples/reinforcement_learning.py
+++ b/examples/reinforcement_learning.py
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ def create_single_agent_env(cls, config: Dict[str, Any]) -> SingleAgentWrapper:
             open_timeout=None,
             strict=False,
         )
-        opponent = RandomPlayer()
+        opponent = RandomPlayer(start_listening=False)
         return SingleAgentWrapper(env, opponent)
 
     def calc_reward(self, battle) -> float:
diff --git a/src/poke_env/environment/env.py b/src/poke_env/environment/env.py
index f092bdaaa..0a637abf8 100644
--- a/src/poke_env/environment/env.py
+++ b/src/poke_env/environment/env.py
@@ -18,8 +18,8 @@
 from poke_env.concurrency import POKE_LOOP, create_in_poke_loop
 from poke_env.player.battle_order import (
     BattleOrder,
-    DefaultBattleOrder,
     ForfeitBattleOrder,
+    _EmptyBattleOrder,
 )
 from poke_env.player.player import Player
 from poke_env.ps_client import AccountConfiguration
@@ -313,7 +313,7 @@ def reset(
                     self.agent1.order_queue.put(ForfeitBattleOrder())
                     if self.agent2_to_move:
                         self.agent2_to_move = False
-                        self.agent2.order_queue.put(DefaultBattleOrder())
+                        self.agent2.order_queue.put(_EmptyBattleOrder())
                 else:
                     assert self.agent2_to_move
                     self.agent2_to_move = False
@@ -384,7 +384,7 @@ def close(self, force: bool = True, wait: bool = True):
                     self.agent1.order_queue.put(ForfeitBattleOrder())
                     if self.agent2_to_move:
                         self.agent2_to_move = False
-                        self.agent2.order_queue.put(DefaultBattleOrder())
+                        self.agent2.order_queue.put(_EmptyBattleOrder())
                 else:
                     assert self.agent2_to_move
                     self.agent2_to_move = False
diff --git a/src/poke_env/player/battle_order.py b/src/poke_env/player/battle_order.py
index 16bcce9ba..4129ff281 100644
--- a/src/poke_env/player/battle_order.py
+++ b/src/poke_env/player/battle_order.py
@@ -24,6 +24,12 @@ def message(self) -> str:
         return "/forfeit"
 
 
+class _EmptyBattleOrder(BattleOrder):
+    @property
+    def message(self) -> str:
+        return ""
+
+
 @dataclass
 class SingleBattleOrder(BattleOrder):
     order: Union[Move, Pokemon, str]
diff --git a/src/poke_env/player/player.py b/src/poke_env/player/player.py
index d307c742a..997ec46e6 100644
--- a/src/poke_env/player/player.py
+++ b/src/poke_env/player/player.py
@@ -417,7 +417,8 @@ async def _handle_battle_request(
             if isinstance(choice, Awaitable):
                 choice = await choice
             message = choice.message
-        await self.ps_client.send_message(message, battle.battle_tag)
+        if message:
+            await self.ps_client.send_message(message, battle.battle_tag)
 
     async def _handle_challenge_request(self, split_message: List[str]):
         """Handles an individual challenge."""