diff --git a/plugins/newsbid/webshit/webshit.go b/plugins/newsbid/webshit/webshit.go
index dead1ae..4b1012f 100644
--- a/plugins/newsbid/webshit/webshit.go
+++ b/plugins/newsbid/webshit/webshit.go
@@ -280,6 +280,9 @@ func (w *Webshit) GetAllBalances() ([]Balance, error) {
 // Bid allows a user to place a bid on a particular story
 func (w *Webshit) Bid(user string, amount int, URL string) (Bid, error) {
 	bal := w.GetBalance(user)
+	if amount < 0 {
+		return Bid{}, fmt.Errorf("cannot bid less than 0")
+	}
 	if bal < amount {
 		return Bid{}, fmt.Errorf("cannot bid more than balance, %d", bal)
 	}