diff --git a/js/views/conversation_list_item_view.js b/js/views/conversation_list_item_view.js
index d380a34de..00e569f51 100644
--- a/js/views/conversation_list_item_view.js
+++ b/js/views/conversation_list_item_view.js
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@ var Whisper = Whisper || {};
 (function () {
   'use strict';
 
-  var bg = extension.windows.getBackground();
   // list of conversations, showing user/group and last message sent
   Whisper.ConversationListItemView = Backbone.View.extend({
     tagName: 'div',
@@ -40,7 +39,7 @@ var Whisper = Whisper || {};
 
     open: function(e) {
       this.$el.addClass('selected');
-      bg.openConversation(this.model.id);
+      this.$el.trigger('open', {modelId: this.model.id});
     },
 
     stopPropagation: function(e) {
diff --git a/js/views/inbox_view.js b/js/views/inbox_view.js
index c85d3c339..25fa3ad0e 100644
--- a/js/views/inbox_view.js
+++ b/js/views/inbox_view.js
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
     'use strict';
 
     window.Whisper = window.Whisper || {};
+    var bg = extension.windows.getBackground();
 
     Whisper.InboxView = Backbone.View.extend({
         initialize: function () {
@@ -48,7 +49,11 @@
         events: {
             'click .back': 'hideCompose',
             'click .fab': 'showCompose',
-            'keyup input.new-message': 'compose'
+            'keyup input.new-message': 'compose',
+            'open .contact': 'openConversation'
+        },
+        openConversation: function(e, data) {
+            bg.openConversation(data.modelId);
         },
         showCompose: function() {
             this.$fab.hide();
diff --git a/js/views/new_conversation_view.js b/js/views/new_conversation_view.js
index f72f735e4..cc9d94bba 100644
--- a/js/views/new_conversation_view.js
+++ b/js/views/new_conversation_view.js
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ var Whisper = Whisper || {};
         var query = this.$input.val();
         if (query.length) {
             if (this.maybeNumber(query)) {
-                this.new_contact.model.set('name', query);
+                this.new_contact.model.set('id', query);
                 this.new_contact.$el.show();
             } else {
                 this.new_contact.$el.hide();