AOL Instant Messaging (AIM) issue "away message" functionality

I put a customized "away" message on two nights ago. Turned it off yesterday morning, but the customized message is evidently still appearing to those on my buddy list. I've deleted the customized message altogether, and yet it still appears. When I think I have no away message on, it still appears. I've signed out, rebooted, etc, nothing will remove it. I would like to avoid reloading aim as I'm not sure how to transfer all my buddy list info over; that would be a nightmare. Does anyone have any suggestions?