diff --git a/redbot/core/core_commands.py b/redbot/core/core_commands.py
index f8d493fa8..083f0a070 100644
--- a/redbot/core/core_commands.py
+++ b/redbot/core/core_commands.py
@@ -1079,21 +1079,19 @@ class Core(commands.Cog, CoreLogic):
     async def _game(self, ctx: commands.Context, *, game: str = None):
         """Sets [botname]'s playing status"""
 
-        if len(game) > 128:
-            await ctx.send("The maximum length of game descriptions is 128 characters.")
+        if game:
+            if len(game) > 128:
+                await ctx.send("The maximum length of game descriptions is 128 characters.")
+                return
+            game = discord.Game(name=game)
         else:
-            if game:
-                game = discord.Game(name=game)
-            else:
-                game = None
-            status = (
-                ctx.bot.guilds[0].me.status if len(ctx.bot.guilds) > 0 else discord.Status.online
-            )
-            await ctx.bot.change_presence(status=status, activity=game)
-            if game:
-                await ctx.send(_("Status set to ``Playing {game.name}``.").format(game=game))
-            else:
-                await ctx.send(_("Game cleared."))
+            game = None
+        status = ctx.bot.guilds[0].me.status if len(ctx.bot.guilds) > 0 else discord.Status.online
+        await ctx.bot.change_presence(status=status, activity=game)
+        if game:
+            await ctx.send(_("Status set to ``Playing {game.name}``.").format(game=game))
+        else:
+            await ctx.send(_("Game cleared."))
 
     @_set.command(name="listening")
     @checks.bot_in_a_guild()