diff --git a/privatemsg.module b/privatemsg.module
index 995b97b..2cb4edc 100644
--- a/privatemsg.module
+++ b/privatemsg.module
@@ -1786,6 +1786,15 @@ function _privatemsg_validate_message(&$message, $form = FALSE) {
         $messages['warning'][] = $blocked['message'];
       }
     }
+    //do not send private messages to blocked users
+    foreach ($message->recipients as $key => $recipient) {
+      if (!$recipient->status) {
+        unset($message->recipients[$key]);
+        $messages['warning'][] = t('A message could not be sent because a user has already cancelled his/her account.');
+      }
+    }
   }
 
   // Check again, give another error message if all recipients are blocked