diff --git a/zephyr/tests.py b/zephyr/tests.py
index f0fb78374e..91f35d8e15 100644
--- a/zephyr/tests.py
+++ b/zephyr/tests.py
@@ -1005,13 +1005,13 @@ class GetOldMessagesTest(AuthedTestCase):
 
     def test_bad_int_params(self):
         """
-        anchor, num_before, num_after, and narrow must all be non-negative
+        num_before, num_after, and narrow must all be non-negative
         integers or strings that can be converted to non-negative integers.
         """
         self.login("hamlet@humbughq.com")
 
-        other_params = [("narrow", {})]
-        int_params = ["anchor", "num_before", "num_after"]
+        other_params = [("narrow", {}), ("anchor", 0)]
+        int_params = ["num_before", "num_after"]
 
         bad_types = (False, "", "-1", -1)
         for idx, param in enumerate(int_params):
diff --git a/zephyr/views.py b/zephyr/views.py
index 967e4f46b7..c72f7b96ed 100644
--- a/zephyr/views.py
+++ b/zephyr/views.py
@@ -585,7 +585,7 @@ def get_public_stream(request, stream, realm):
     return stream
 
 @has_request_variables
-def get_old_messages_backend(request, anchor = POST(converter=to_non_negative_int),
+def get_old_messages_backend(request, anchor = POST(converter=int),
                              num_before = POST(converter=to_non_negative_int),
                              num_after = POST(converter=to_non_negative_int),
                              narrow = POST('narrow', converter=narrow_parameter, default=None),