diff --git a/fjerkroa_bot/discord_bot.py b/fjerkroa_bot/discord_bot.py
index cceb2ce..0d69aac 100644
--- a/fjerkroa_bot/discord_bot.py
+++ b/fjerkroa_bot/discord_bot.py
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ class FjerkroaBot(commands.Bot):
             channel_name = str(channel.name)
         except Exception:
             channel_name = str(channel.id)
-        if channel_name in self.config.get('ignore-channels', []):
+        if channel_name in self.config.get('ignore-channels', []) and not message.direct:
             logging.info(f"ignore message {repr(message)} for channel {channel_name}")
             return
         logging.info(f"handle message {repr(message)} for channel {channel_name}")