diff --git a/static/js/pm_list.js b/static/js/pm_list.js
index 2c2a42420a..8a2f02e308 100644
--- a/static/js/pm_list.js
+++ b/static/js/pm_list.js
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import * as stream_popover from "./stream_popover";
 import * as ui from "./ui";
 import * as unread from "./unread";
 import * as vdom from "./vdom";
+import * as ui_util from "./ui_util";
 
 let prior_dom;
 let private_messages_open = false;
@@ -26,20 +27,8 @@ function get_filter_li() {
     return $(".top_left_private_messages");
 }
 
-function update_count_in_dom(count_span, value_span, count) {
-    if (count === 0) {
-        count_span.hide();
-        value_span.text("");
-    } else {
-        count_span.show();
-        value_span.text(count);
-    }
-}
-
 function set_count(count) {
-    const count_span = get_filter_li().find(".count");
-    const value_span = count_span.find(".value");
-    update_count_in_dom(count_span, value_span, count);
+    ui_util.update_unread_count_in_dom(get_filter_li(), count);
 }
 
 function remove_expanded_private_messages() {
diff --git a/static/js/top_left_corner.js b/static/js/top_left_corner.js
index cc1a530143..3b03e6bce8 100644
--- a/static/js/top_left_corner.js
+++ b/static/js/top_left_corner.js
@@ -4,24 +4,11 @@ import * as people from "./people";
 import * as pm_list from "./pm_list";
 import * as resize from "./resize";
 import * as unread_ui from "./unread_ui";
-
-export function update_count_in_dom(unread_count_elem, count) {
-    const count_span = unread_count_elem.find(".count");
-    const value_span = count_span.find(".value");
-
-    if (count === 0) {
-        count_span.hide();
-        value_span.text("");
-        return;
-    }
-
-    count_span.show();
-    value_span.text(count);
-}
+import * as ui_util from "./ui_util";
 
 export function update_starred_count(count) {
     const starred_li = $(".top_left_starred_messages");
-    update_count_in_dom(starred_li, count);
+    ui_util.update_unread_count_in_dom(starred_li, count);
 }
 
 export function update_dom_with_unread_counts(counts) {
@@ -31,8 +18,8 @@ export function update_dom_with_unread_counts(counts) {
     const mentioned_li = $(".top_left_mentions");
     const home_li = $(".top_left_all_messages");
 
-    update_count_in_dom(mentioned_li, counts.mentioned_message_count);
-    update_count_in_dom(home_li, counts.home_unread_messages);
+    ui_util.update_unread_count_in_dom(mentioned_li, counts.mentioned_message_count);
+    ui_util.update_unread_count_in_dom(home_li, counts.home_unread_messages);
 
     unread_ui.animate_mention_changes(mentioned_li, counts.mentioned_message_count);
 }
diff --git a/static/js/ui_util.js b/static/js/ui_util.js
index 95c5377016..0bfa49f6a8 100644
--- a/static/js/ui_util.js
+++ b/static/js/ui_util.js
@@ -38,3 +38,19 @@ export function convert_enter_to_click(e) {
         $(e.currentTarget).trigger("click");
     }
 }
+
+export function update_unread_count_in_dom(unread_count_elem, count) {
+    // This function is used to update unread count in top left corner
+    // elements.
+    const count_span = unread_count_elem.find(".count");
+    const value_span = count_span.find(".value");
+
+    if (count === 0) {
+        count_span.hide();
+        value_span.text("");
+        return;
+    }
+
+    count_span.show();
+    value_span.text(count);
+}