diff --git a/static/styles/input_pill.css b/static/styles/input_pill.css
index 94172a5af7..1703ab9b89 100644
--- a/static/styles/input_pill.css
+++ b/static/styles/input_pill.css
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@
     opacity: 0.5;
 }
 
-.pm_recipient .pill-container .pill + .input:empty::before {
+.pm_recipient .pill-container .pill + .input:focus:empty::before {
     content: attr(data-some-recipients-text);
     opacity: 0.5;
 }