diff --git a/mitterlib/ui/ui_pygtk.py b/mitterlib/ui/ui_pygtk.py
index cfcb33b..79cd174 100644
--- a/mitterlib/ui/ui_pygtk.py
+++ b/mitterlib/ui/ui_pygtk.py
@@ -994,7 +994,7 @@ class Interface(object):
 
     def _new_message(self, widget, user_data=None):
         """Opens the text area for a new message."""
-        self._show_update_box()
+        self._update_field.show()
         return
 
     # ------------------------------------------------------------