diff --git a/engine/items/item_effects.asm b/engine/items/item_effects.asm
index b88b64fa..6f78ff14 100644
--- a/engine/items/item_effects.asm
+++ b/engine/items/item_effects.asm
@@ -128,6 +128,9 @@ ItemUsePtrTable:
 	dw UnusableItem      ; FLOOR_14F
 
 ItemUseLetter:
+	ld a, [wIsInBattle]
+	and a
+	jp nz, ItemUseNotTime
 	text_asm
 	ld hl, ChiefLetterText
 	call PrintText