diff --git a/src/matrix-send-message.js b/src/matrix-send-message.js
index 784a3a0..61e93b1 100644
--- a/src/matrix-send-message.js
+++ b/src/matrix-send-message.js
@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ module.exports = function(RED) {
                 }
 
                 if(msgFormat === 'msg.format') {
-                    if(!Object.keys(msg).includes(format)) {
+                    if(!Object.keys(msg).includes("format")) {
                         node.error("Message format is set to be passed in via msg.format but was not defined", msg);
                         return;
                     }