diff --git a/frontend_tests/casper_lib/common.js b/frontend_tests/casper_lib/common.js
index d724259c5e..b4a48a1645 100644
--- a/frontend_tests/casper_lib/common.js
+++ b/frontend_tests/casper_lib/common.js
@@ -329,6 +329,10 @@ exports.expected_messages = function (table, headings, bodies) {
 
 exports.un_narrow = function () {
     casper.test.info('Un-narrowing');
+    if (casper.visible('.message_comp')) {
+        // close the compose box
+        common.keypress(27); // Esc
+    }
     common.keypress(27); // Esc
 };