diff --git a/mmpy_bot/driver.py b/mmpy_bot/driver.py
index da925195..1b9eda66 100644
--- a/mmpy_bot/driver.py
+++ b/mmpy_bot/driver.py
@@ -131,9 +131,8 @@ def reply_to(
                 message=response,
                 file_paths=file_paths,
                 props=props,
+                ephemeral_user_id=message.user_id if ephemeral else None
             )
-            if ephemeral:
-                direct_args["ephemeral_user_id"] = message.user_id
 
             return self.direct_message(**direct_args)
 
@@ -143,11 +142,9 @@ def reply_to(
             root_id=message.reply_id,
             file_paths=file_paths,
             props=props,
+            ephemeral_user_id=message.user_id if ephemeral else None
         )
 
-        if ephemeral:
-            reply_args["ephemeral_user_id"] = message.user_id
-
         return self.create_post(**reply_args)
 
     def direct_message(