diff --git a/static/js/settings_display.js b/static/js/settings_display.js
index 1ad6091194..3a986d6d73 100644
--- a/static/js/settings_display.js
+++ b/static/js/settings_display.js
@@ -9,12 +9,14 @@ exports.set_up = function () {
     $("#emojiset_select").val(page_params.emojiset);
 
     $("#default_language_modal [data-dismiss]").click(function () {
+      $('#default_language_modal').attr('aria-hidden', true);
       $("#default_language_modal").fadeOut(300);
     });
 
     $("#default_language_modal .language").click(function (e) {
         e.preventDefault();
         e.stopPropagation();
+        $('#default_language_modal').show().attr('aria-hidden', true);
         $('#default_language_modal').fadeOut(300);
 
         var data = {};