diff --git a/techsupport_bot/bot.py b/techsupport_bot/bot.py
index 5f942847..76e35da4 100644
--- a/techsupport_bot/bot.py
+++ b/techsupport_bot/bot.py
@@ -498,10 +498,18 @@ async def on_app_command_error(
 
         embed = auxiliary.prepare_deny_embed(message=error_message)
 
+        ephemeral_errors_parameter = interaction.command.extras.get(
+            "ephemeral_error", False
+        )
+        debug_mode = bool(int(os.environ.get("DEBUG", 0)))
+        ephemeral_errors = ephemeral_errors_parameter and not debug_mode
+
         if interaction.response.is_done():
-            await interaction.followup.send(embed=embed)
+            await interaction.followup.send(embed=embed, ephemeral=ephemeral_errors)
         else:
-            await interaction.response.send_message(embed=embed)
+            await interaction.response.send_message(
+                embed=embed, ephemeral=ephemeral_errors
+            )
 
     async def handle_error(
         self: Self,
diff --git a/techsupport_bot/commands/whois.py b/techsupport_bot/commands/whois.py
index 26f0008c..e6462a9e 100644
--- a/techsupport_bot/commands/whois.py
+++ b/techsupport_bot/commands/whois.py
@@ -30,7 +30,11 @@ class Whois(cogs.BaseCog):
     @app_commands.command(
         name="whois",
         description="Gets Discord user information",
-        extras={"brief": "Gets user data", "usage": "@user", "module": "whois"},
+        extras={
+            "usage": "@user",
+            "module": "whois",
+            "ephemeral_error": True,
+        },
     )
     async def whois_command(
         self: Self, interaction: discord.Interaction, member: discord.Member