diff --git a/static/js/recent_topics_ui.js b/static/js/recent_topics_ui.js
index e00ca00c77..6a902425c7 100644
--- a/static/js/recent_topics_ui.js
+++ b/static/js/recent_topics_ui.js
@@ -863,8 +863,10 @@ function up_arrow_navigation(row, col) {
 }
 
 function down_arrow_navigation(row, col) {
+    if (is_focus_at_last_table_row()) {
+        return;
+    }
     const type = get_row_type(row);
-
     if (type === "stream" && col === 2 && !has_unread(row + 1)) {
         col_focus = 1;
     }