diff --git a/static/js/compose.js b/static/js/compose.js
index 1d3706198d..54d15a79c2 100644
--- a/static/js/compose.js
+++ b/static/js/compose.js
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ exports.start = function (msg_type, opts) {
         show_box('private', $("#" + (focus_area || 'private_message_recipient')));
     }
 
-    update_fade();
+    compose_fade.set_faded_messages(msg_type);
 
     exports.decorate_stream_bar(opts.stream);
     $(document).trigger($.Event('compose_started.zulip', opts));
diff --git a/static/js/compose_fade.js b/static/js/compose_fade.js
index efdcc6611e..9a58a1b8e9 100644
--- a/static/js/compose_fade.js
+++ b/static/js/compose_fade.js
@@ -89,6 +89,11 @@ function _update_faded_messages() {
 // cause typing sluggishness.
 exports.update_faded_messages = _.debounce(_update_faded_messages, 150);
 
+exports.set_faded_messages = function (msg_type) {
+    exports.set_focused_recipient(msg_type);
+    _update_faded_messages();
+};
+
 return exports;
 
 }());