diff --git a/modules/Markov.py b/modules/Markov.py
index a034851..f8293d2 100644
--- a/modules/Markov.py
+++ b/modules/Markov.py
@@ -418,6 +418,30 @@ class Markov(Module):
 
         # walk a chain, randomly, building the list of words
         while len(gen_words) < max_size + 2 and gen_words[-1] != self.stop:
+            # first, see if we have an empty response and a target word.
+            # we'll just pick a word and work backwards
+            if gen_words[-1] == self.start2 and target_word != '':
+                working_backwards = []
+                working_backwards.append(target_word)
+                # generate new word
+                found_word = ''
+                target_word = words[random.randint(0, len(words)-1)]
+                # work backwards until we randomly bump into a start
+                while True:
+                    key_hits = self._retrieve_k2_for_value(working_backwards[0], context)
+                    if target_word in key_hits:
+                        found_word = target_word
+                        # generate new word
+                        target_word = words[random.randint(0, len(words)-1)]
+                    else:
+                        found_word = random.choice(filter(lambda a: a != self.stop, key_hits))
+
+                    if found_word == self.start2:
+                        gen_words = gen_words + working_backwards
+                        break
+                    else:
+                        working_backwards.insert(0, found_word)
+
             key_hits = self._retrieve_chains_for_key(gen_words[-2], gen_words[-1], context)
             # use the chain that includes the target word, if it is found
             if target_word != '' and target_word in key_hits:
@@ -469,6 +493,26 @@ class Markov(Module):
             print('sqlite error: ' + str(e))
             raise
 
+    def _retrieve_k2_for_value(self, v, context):
+        """Get the value(s) for a given key (a pair of strings)."""
+
+        values = []
+        try:
+            db = self.get_db()
+            query = 'SELECT k2 FROM markov_chain WHERE v = ? AND (context = ? OR context IS NULL)'
+            cursor = db.execute(query, (v,context))
+            results = cursor.fetchall()
+
+            for result in results:
+                values.append(result['k2'])
+
+            db.close()
+            return values
+        except sqlite3.Error as e:
+            db.close()
+            print('sqlite error: ' + str(e))
+            raise
+
     def _get_chatter_targets(self):
         """Get all possible chatter targets."""