diff --git a/frontend_tests/node_tests/message_list.js b/frontend_tests/node_tests/message_list.js
index 5d4656bd4f..da70990490 100644
--- a/frontend_tests/node_tests/message_list.js
+++ b/frontend_tests/node_tests/message_list.js
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ function accept_all_filter() {
 
 run_test('basics', () => {
     var table;
-    var filter = {};
+    var filter = accept_all_filter();
 
     var list = new MessageList(table, filter);
 
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ run_test('basics', () => {
             id: 40,
         },
     ];
-    list.prepend(old_messages, true);
+    list.add_messages(old_messages);
     assert.equal(list.first().id, 30);
     assert.equal(list.last().id, 80);
 
diff --git a/static/js/message_list.js b/static/js/message_list.js
index bead471abd..2ab9cbf40c 100644
--- a/static/js/message_list.js
+++ b/static/js/message_list.js
@@ -39,7 +39,8 @@ exports.MessageList.prototype = {
             return true;
         }
         if (top_messages.length > 0) {
-            self.prepend(top_messages);
+            top_messages = this.data.prepend(top_messages);
+            self.view.prepend(top_messages);
         }
 
         if (bottom_messages.length > 0) {
@@ -261,11 +262,6 @@ exports.MessageList.prototype = {
         }
     },
 
-    prepend: function MessageList_prepend(messages) {
-        var viewable_messages = this.data.prepend(messages);
-        this.view.prepend(viewable_messages);
-    },
-
     remove_and_rerender: function MessageList_remove_and_rerender(messages) {
         this.data.remove(messages);
         this.rerender();