diff --git a/static/js/narrow.js b/static/js/narrow.js
index ae92a86c3a..8d1ef4aafa 100644
--- a/static/js/narrow.js
+++ b/static/js/narrow.js
@@ -187,9 +187,13 @@ exports.activate = function (raw_operators, opts) {
     // Populate the message list if we can apply our filter locally (i.e.
     // with no backend help) and we have the message we want to select.
     if (narrow_state.get_current_filter().can_apply_locally()) {
-        if (message_list.all.get(then_select_id) !== undefined) {
-            message_util.add_messages(message_list.all.all_messages(), message_list.narrowed,
-                                       {delay_render: true});
+        if (then_select_id !== -1) {
+            if (message_list.all.get(then_select_id) !== undefined) {
+                message_util.add_messages(
+                    message_list.all.all_messages(),
+                    message_list.narrowed,
+                    {delay_render: true});
+            }
         }
     }