diff --git a/web/src/pm_list.ts b/web/src/pm_list.ts
index 3dc1508917..71d4dc0e27 100644
--- a/web/src/pm_list.ts
+++ b/web/src/pm_list.ts
@@ -258,4 +258,12 @@ export function initialize(): void {
 
         clear_search();
     });
+
+    $(".direct-messages-container").on("mouseenter", () => {
+        $("#direct-messages-section-header").addClass("hover-over-dm-section");
+    });
+
+    $(".direct-messages-container").on("mouseleave", () => {
+        $("#direct-messages-section-header").removeClass("hover-over-dm-section");
+    });
 }
diff --git a/web/styles/left_sidebar.css b/web/styles/left_sidebar.css
index 54ec179b83..a991ba1a07 100644
--- a/web/styles/left_sidebar.css
+++ b/web/styles/left_sidebar.css
@@ -259,6 +259,7 @@
         }
     }
 
+    &.hover-over-dm-section,
     &.zoom-in,
     &:hover {
         #compose-new-direct-message,