diff --git a/static/js/typing.js b/static/js/typing.js
index fa12fd352b..932644efbd 100644
--- a/static/js/typing.js
+++ b/static/js/typing.js
@@ -7,11 +7,12 @@ var exports = {};
 //
 // See docs/subsystems/typing-indicators.md for details on typing indicators.
 
-function send_typing_notification_ajax(recipients, operation) {
+function send_typing_notification_ajax(user_ids_string, operation) {
+    var typing_to = people.user_ids_string_to_emails_string(user_ids_string);
     channel.post({
         url: '/json/typing',
         data: {
-            to: recipients,
+            to: typing_to,
             op: operation,
         },
         success: function () {},
@@ -21,21 +22,26 @@ function send_typing_notification_ajax(recipients, operation) {
     });
 }
 
-function get_recipient() {
-    var compose_recipient = compose_state.recipient();
-    if (compose_recipient === "") {
+function get_user_ids_string() {
+    var user_ids_string = compose_pm_pill.get_user_ids_string();
+
+    if (user_ids_string === "") {
         return;
     }
-    return compose_recipient;
+    return user_ids_string;
 }
 
-function is_valid_conversation(recipient) {
+function is_valid_conversation(user_ids_string) {
     // TODO: Check to make sure we're in a PM conversation
     //       with valid emails.
-    if (!recipient) {
+    if (!user_ids_string) {
         return false;
     }
 
+    if (compose_pm_pill.has_unconverted_data()) {
+        return true;
+    }
+
     var compose_empty = !compose_state.has_message_content();
     if (compose_empty) {
         return false;
@@ -50,14 +56,6 @@ function is_valid_conversation(recipient) {
         return false;
     }
 
-    if (compose.get_invalid_recipient_emails().length > 0) {
-        // If we have invalid recipient emails, it's highly
-        // likely the user is either still deciding who to
-        // compose to, or is confused.  Also, the server
-        // will just reject our requests.
-        return false;
-    }
-
     return true;
 }
 
@@ -65,17 +63,17 @@ function get_current_time() {
     return new Date();
 }
 
-function notify_server_start(recipients) {
-    send_typing_notification_ajax(recipients, "start");
+function notify_server_start(user_ids_string) {
+    send_typing_notification_ajax(user_ids_string, "start");
 }
 
-function notify_server_stop(recipients) {
-    send_typing_notification_ajax(recipients, "stop");
+function notify_server_stop(user_ids_string) {
+    send_typing_notification_ajax(user_ids_string, "stop");
 }
 
 exports.initialize = function () {
     var worker = {
-        get_recipient: get_recipient,
+        get_recipient: get_user_ids_string,
         is_valid_conversation: is_valid_conversation,
         get_current_time: get_current_time,
         notify_server_start: notify_server_start,