diff --git a/zephyr/static/js/zephyr.js b/zephyr/static/js/zephyr.js
index 8a2cc2e134..6dbc29f646 100644
--- a/zephyr/static/js/zephyr.js
+++ b/zephyr/static/js/zephyr.js
@@ -631,7 +631,7 @@ function add_to_tables(zephyr, parent, table) {
     } else {
         zephyr.include_recipient = true;
         // add a space to the table
-        table.append($('<tr />').append($('<td />')).append($('<td />')).append($('<td />').html('<br/>').addClass('bookend')));
+        table.append($('<tr />').append($('<td />')).append($('<td />')).append($('<td />').addClass('bookend')));
     }
 
     if (parent !== undefined && !zephyr.include_recipient && zephyr.sender === parent.sender) {
diff --git a/zephyr/static/styles/zephyr.css b/zephyr/static/styles/zephyr.css
index 96e112aee6..546ecb25e9 100644
--- a/zephyr/static/styles/zephyr.css
+++ b/zephyr/static/styles/zephyr.css
@@ -141,6 +141,12 @@ td.messagebox {
     margin-bottom: 20px;
     background-color: white;
     border: 1px solid gray;
+    border-bottom: 0px solid gray;
+}
+
+td.bookend {
+    border-top: 1px solid gray;
+    padding-top: 5px;
 }
 
 td.collapsed_child {