diff --git a/evennia/comms/comms.py b/evennia/comms/comms.py
index f50d3bf4a8..fd51c03d72 100644
--- a/evennia/comms/comms.py
+++ b/evennia/comms/comms.py
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 Base typeclass for in-game Channels.
 
 """
-
 from evennia.typeclasses.models import TypeclassBase
 from evennia.comms.models import TempMsg, ChannelDB
 from evennia.comms.managers import ChannelManager
@@ -239,14 +238,17 @@ class DefaultChannel(with_metaclass(TypeclassBase, ChannelDB)):
         Args:
             msgobj (Msg or TempMsg): Message to distribute.
             online (bool): Only send to receivers who are actually online
-                (not currently used):
 
         Notes:
             This is also where logging happens, if enabled.
 
         """
         # get all players or objects connected to this channel and send to them
-        for entity in self.subscriptions.all():
+        if online:
+            subs = self.subscriptions.online()
+        else:
+            subs = self.subscriptions.all()
+        for entity in subs:
             # if the entity is muted, we don't send them a message
             if entity in self.mutelist:
                 continue
diff --git a/evennia/comms/models.py b/evennia/comms/models.py
index ce5f3d739c..c7b5e8d7b9 100644
--- a/evennia/comms/models.py
+++ b/evennia/comms/models.py
@@ -538,6 +538,24 @@ class SubscriptionHandler(object):
             self._recache()
         return self._cache
 
+    def online(self):
+        """
+        Get all online players from our cache
+        Returns:
+            subscribers (list): Subscribers who are online or
+                are puppeted by an online player.
+        """
+        subs = []
+        for obj in self.all():
+            if hasattr(obj, 'player'):
+                if not obj.player:
+                    continue
+                obj = obj.player
+            if not obj.is_connected:
+                continue
+            subs.append(obj)
+        return subs
+
     def clear(self):
         """
         Remove all subscribers from channel.