diff --git a/client/tests/test_monologue_display.gd b/client/tests/test_monologue_display.gd
index 88f4047c6..2370e449a 100644
--- a/client/tests/test_monologue_display.gd
+++ b/client/tests/test_monologue_display.gd
@@ -46,6 +46,36 @@ func test_stagger_timer_zero_on_init() -> void:
 	d.queue_free()
 
 
+func test_show_monologue_with_empty_text_does_not_set_displaying() -> void:
+	# Empty text must be ignored — no visible slot created, no queue entry.
+	# Prevents ghost display nodes and stagger timer contamination.
+	var d = _make_display()
+	if d == null: return
+	d.show_monologue("", 5.0)
+	assert_int(d._visible.size()).is_equal(0)
+	assert_int(d._queue.size()).is_equal(0)
+	d.queue_free()
+
+
+func test_empty_text_does_not_advance_stagger_timer() -> void:
+	var d = _make_display()
+	if d == null: return
+	d.show_monologue("", 5.0)
+	assert_float(d._next_fade_in_msec).is_equal(0.0)
+	d.queue_free()
+
+
+func test_empty_text_when_slots_full_does_not_enqueue() -> void:
+	var d = _make_display()
+	if d == null: return
+	d._next_fade_in_msec = 0.0; d.show_monologue("A", 10.0)
+	d._next_fade_in_msec = 0.0; d.show_monologue("B", 10.0)
+	d._next_fade_in_msec = 0.0; d.show_monologue("C", 10.0)
+	d.show_monologue("", 5.0)
+	assert_int(d._queue.size()).is_equal(0)
+	d.queue_free()
+
+
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Single-line display
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/client/ui/monologue_display.gd b/client/ui/monologue_display.gd
index b68419c07..bf86501d6 100644
--- a/client/ui/monologue_display.gd
+++ b/client/ui/monologue_display.gd
@@ -66,7 +66,10 @@ func _process(delta: float) -> void:
 # Display a monologue line.
 # priority: higher number = more important (default 2; urgent beats normal).
 # is_urgent: visual flag — full opacity + elevated colour. Bloom deferred.
+# Empty text is silently ignored — no slot created, no queue entry.
 func show_monologue(text: String, duration: float, priority: int = 2, is_urgent: bool = false) -> void:
+	if text.is_empty():
+		return
 	var now := float(Time.get_ticks_msec())
 	if _visible.size() < MAX_VISIBLE and now >= _next_fade_in_msec:
 		_show_line(text, duration, priority, is_urgent)