diff --git a/src/irc/ConnectionInstance.ts b/src/irc/ConnectionInstance.ts
index 688036ca..3373fa27 100644
--- a/src/irc/ConnectionInstance.ts
+++ b/src/irc/ConnectionInstance.ts
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ export class ConnectionInstance {
         if (this.dead) {
             return Promise.resolve();
         }
-        ircReason = ircReason || reason;
+        ircReason = "bye"; // don't reveal through the IRC quit message that we're a bridge
         log.info(
             "disconnect()ing %s@%s - %s", this.nick, this.domain, reason
         );