diff --git a/src/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/ConversationAdapter.java b/src/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/ConversationAdapter.java
index 9fdc14dad3..d68ecc17a0 100644
--- a/src/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/ConversationAdapter.java
+++ b/src/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/ConversationAdapter.java
@@ -292,6 +292,7 @@ public class ConversationAdapter <V extends View & BindableConversationItem>
     if (isHeaderPosition(position)) return -1;
     if (isFooterPosition(position)) return -1;
     if (position >= getItemCount()) return -1;
+    if (position < 0)               return -1;
 
     Cursor        cursor = getCursorAtPositionOrThrow(position);
     MessageRecord record = getMessageRecord(cursor);