diff --git a/jarvis/cogs/admin/mute.py b/jarvis/cogs/admin/mute.py
index a8df321..b659265 100644
--- a/jarvis/cogs/admin/mute.py
+++ b/jarvis/cogs/admin/mute.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
 from dateparser import parse
 from dateparser_data.settings import default_parsers
 from dis_snek import InteractionContext, Permissions, Snake
+from dis_snek.client.errors import Forbidden
 from dis_snek.models.discord.embed import EmbedField
 from dis_snek.models.discord.modal import InputText, Modal, TextStyles
 from dis_snek.models.discord.user import Member
@@ -125,8 +126,11 @@ class MuteCog(ModcaseCog):
                 f"`{old_until}` is in the past, which isn't allowed", ephemeral=True
             )
             return
-        embed = await self._apply_timeout(ctx, ctx.target, reason, until)
-        await response.send(embed=embed)
+        try:
+            embed = await self._apply_timeout(ctx, ctx.target, reason, until)
+            await response.send(embed=embed)
+        except Forbidden:
+            await response.send("Unable to mute this user", ephemeral=True)
 
     @slash_command(name="mute", description="Mute a user")
     @slash_option(name="user", description="User to mute", opt_type=OptionTypes.USER, required=True)
@@ -179,8 +183,11 @@ class MuteCog(ModcaseCog):
             return
 
         until = datetime.now(tz=timezone.utc) + timedelta(minutes=duration)
-        embed = await self._apply_timeout(ctx, user, reason, until)
-        await ctx.send(embed=embed)
+        try:
+            embed = await self._apply_timeout(ctx, user, reason, until)
+            await ctx.send(embed=embed)
+        except Forbidden:
+            await ctx.send("Unable to mute this user", ephemeral=True)
 
     @slash_command(name="unmute", description="Unmute a user")
     @slash_option(