diff --git a/sopel/module.py b/sopel/module.py
index bd5d748431..44387f911f 100644
--- a/sopel/module.py
+++ b/sopel/module.py
@@ -320,6 +320,9 @@ def require_privilege(level, message=None):
     def actual_decorator(function):
         @functools.wraps(function)
         def guarded(bot, trigger, *args, **kwargs):
+            # If this is a privmsg, ignore privilege requirements
+            if trigger.is_privmsg:
+                return function(bot, trigger, *args, **kwargs)
             channel_privs = bot.privileges[trigger.sender]
             allowed = channel_privs.get(trigger.nick, 0) >= level
             if not trigger.is_privmsg and not allowed: