diff --git a/briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/conversation/ConversationActivity.java b/briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/conversation/ConversationActivity.java
index 10e9e6be1..dc48c59f9 100644
--- a/briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/conversation/ConversationActivity.java
+++ b/briar-android/src/main/java/org/briarproject/briar/android/conversation/ConversationActivity.java
@@ -888,6 +888,7 @@ public class ConversationActivity extends BriarActivity
 			boolean allDeleted) {
 		runOnUiThreadUnlessDestroyed(() -> {
 			adapter.clear();
+			list.showProgressBar();  // otherwise clearing shows empty state
 			loadMessages();
 			if (!allDeleted) showNotAllDeletedDialog();
 		});