diff --git a/src/matrix-message-base.vala b/src/matrix-message-base.vala
index 7e58d72..1cd2d7c 100644
--- a/src/matrix-message-base.vala
+++ b/src/matrix-message-base.vala
@@ -81,6 +81,9 @@ public abstract class Matrix.Message.Base : Object, Initable {
     initialize_from_json(Json.Node json_data)
         throws Matrix.Error
     {
+        var gen = new Json.Generator();
+        gen.set_root(json_data);
+
         if (json_data.get_node_type() != Json.NodeType.OBJECT) {
             throw new Matrix.Error.INVALID_FORMAT(
                     "The message is not valid");
@@ -132,6 +135,12 @@ public abstract class Matrix.Message.Base : Object, Initable {
         } else if (Config.DEBUG) {
             warning("msgtype is not present in a message");
         }
+
+        if ((node = root.get_member("body")) != null) {
+            _body = node.get_string();
+        } else if (Config.DEBUG) {
+            warning("body is not presente in a message");
+        }
     }
 
     /**
@@ -149,6 +158,11 @@ public abstract class Matrix.Message.Base : Object, Initable {
                     "Won't generate a message with an empty msgtype");
         }
 
+        if (_body == null) {
+            throw new Matrix.Error.INCOMPLETE(
+                    "Won't generate a message without body");
+        }
+
         root.set_string_member("msgtype", _message_type);
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/matrix-message-emote.vala b/src/matrix-message-emote.vala
index d8fa0bb..15e3e31 100644
--- a/src/matrix-message-emote.vala
+++ b/src/matrix-message-emote.vala
@@ -25,4 +25,18 @@
  * sender. This message could also be represented in a different
  * colour to distinguish it from regular `m.text` messages.
  */
-public class Matrix.Message.Emote : Matrix.Message.Base {}
+public class Matrix.Message.Emote : Matrix.Message.Base {
+    public override void
+    from_json(Json.Node json_data)
+        throws Matrix.Error
+    {
+        base.from_json(json_data);
+    }
+
+    public override void
+    to_json(Json.Node json_data)
+        throws Matrix.Error
+    {
+        base.to_json(json_data);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/matrix-message-notice.vala b/src/matrix-message-notice.vala
index 011754b..47b4b38 100644
--- a/src/matrix-message-notice.vala
+++ b/src/matrix-message-notice.vala
@@ -28,4 +28,18 @@
  * infinite-loop situations where two automated clients continuously
  * exchange messages, as each responds to the other.
  */
-public class Matrix.Message.Notice : Matrix.Message.Base {}
+public class Matrix.Message.Notice : Matrix.Message.Base {
+    public override void
+    from_json(Json.Node json_data)
+        throws Matrix.Error
+    {
+        base.from_json(json_data);
+    }
+
+    public override void
+    to_json(Json.Node json_data)
+        throws Matrix.Error
+    {
+        base.to_json(json_data);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/matrix-message-text.vala b/src/matrix-message-text.vala
index b6dd377..91ae5f4 100644
--- a/src/matrix-message-text.vala
+++ b/src/matrix-message-text.vala
@@ -21,4 +21,18 @@
  *
  * Handle plain text messages.
  */
-public class Matrix.Message.Text : Matrix.Message.Base {}
+public class Matrix.Message.Text : Matrix.Message.Base {
+    public override void
+    from_json(Json.Node json_data)
+        throws Matrix.Error
+    {
+        base.from_json(json_data);
+    }
+
+    public override void
+    to_json(Json.Node json_data)
+        throws Matrix.Error
+    {
+        base.to_json(json_data);
+    }
+}