diff --git a/evennia/server/inputfuncs.py b/evennia/server/inputfuncs.py
index 08427658b9..ed1e778297 100644
--- a/evennia/server/inputfuncs.py
+++ b/evennia/server/inputfuncs.py
@@ -541,3 +541,13 @@ def msdp_unreport(session, *args, **kwargs):
 
     """
     unmonitor(session, *args, **kwargs)
+
+
+# client specific
+
+def external_discord_hello(session, *args, **kwargs):
+    """
+    Sent by Mudlet as a greeting; added here to avoid
+    logging a missing inputfunc for it.
+    """
+    pass
diff --git a/evennia/server/portal/mssp.py b/evennia/server/portal/mssp.py
index 78dd12b699..7bec2bb725 100644
--- a/evennia/server/portal/mssp.py
+++ b/evennia/server/portal/mssp.py
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ class Mssp(object):
         if MSSPTable_CUSTOM:
             self.mssp_table.update(MSSPTable_CUSTOM)
 
-        varlist = ''
+        varlist = b''
         for variable, value in self.mssp_table.items():
             if callable(value):
                 value = value()