diff --git a/dr_botzo/markov/lib.py b/dr_botzo/markov/lib.py
index 6020d16..c0394d9 100644
--- a/dr_botzo/markov/lib.py
+++ b/dr_botzo/markov/lib.py
@@ -99,15 +99,20 @@ def generate_sentence(context, topics=None, min_words=15, max_words=30):
         else:
             target_hits = []
 
-        # if we're over min_words, and got a stop naturally, use it
         if len(words) > min_words and MarkovState._stop in new_states:
+            # if we're over min_words, and got a stop naturally, use it
             log.debug("found a stop in the results, intentionally picking it")
             words.append(MarkovState._stop)
         elif len(target_hits) > 0:
+            # if there's a target word in the states, pick it
             target_hit = random.choice(target_hits)
             log.debug("found a topic hit %s, using it", target_hit)
             topics.remove(target_hit)
             words.append(target_hit)
+        elif len(words) <= min_words:
+            # if we still need more words, intentionally avoid stop
+            words.append(get_word_out_of_states(new_states.exclude(v=MarkovState._stop)))
+            log.debug("picked (stop avoidance) %s", words[-1])
         else:
             words.append(get_word_out_of_states(new_states))
             log.debug("picked %s", words[-1])