diff --git a/components/dashboard/NewChatForm.tsx b/components/dashboard/NewChatForm.tsx
index 32aa5ed..6225cf2 100644
--- a/components/dashboard/NewChatForm.tsx
+++ b/components/dashboard/NewChatForm.tsx
@@ -115,10 +115,10 @@ export default function NewChatForm() {
         }
       });
       
-      const response = await authAxios.post("/api/chats/create", {
+      const response = await authAxios.post("/chats/create", {
         buyerId,
         storeId: selectedStore,
-        initialMessage
+        initialMessage: initialMessage.trim() || undefined
       });
       
       if (response.data.chatId) {