diff --git a/chat/chat.py b/chat/chat.py
index 2abb2f1b..40973f02 100755
--- a/chat/chat.py
+++ b/chat/chat.py
@@ -366,6 +366,10 @@ class ChatActivity(activity.Activity):
 
 		# Clear the "new message" icon when the user activates the chat
 		aniter = self._get_iter_for_buddy(buddy)
+		# Select the row in the list
+		if aniter:
+			selection = self._buddy_list_view.get_selection()
+			selection.select_iter(aniter)
 		icon = self._buddy_list_model.get_value(aniter, self._MODEL_COL_ICON)
 		if icon == self._pixbuf_new_message:
 			self._buddy_list_model.set_value(aniter, self._MODEL_COL_ICON, self._pixbuf_active_chat)