diff --git a/commands/msg/reply.go b/commands/msg/reply.go
index 8b21995..a776837 100644
--- a/commands/msg/reply.go
+++ b/commands/msg/reply.go
@@ -221,6 +221,9 @@ func (reply) Execute(aerc *widgets.Aerc, args []string) error {
 		})
 		return nil
 	} else {
+		if template == "" {
+			template = aerc.Config().Templates.NewMessage
+		}
 		return addTab()
 	}
 }