diff --git a/web/src/narrow.js b/web/src/narrow.js
index 19465e3632..dcc3e3e0fa 100644
--- a/web/src/narrow.js
+++ b/web/src/narrow.js
@@ -925,11 +925,6 @@ export function by_topic(target_id, opts) {
         return;
     }
 
-    // We don't check msg_list.can_mark_messages_read here only because
-    // the target msg_list isn't initialized yet; in any case, the
-    // message is about to be marked read in the new view.
-    unread_ops.notify_server_message_read(original);
-
     const search_terms = [
         {operator: "stream", operand: original.stream},
         {operator: "topic", operand: original.topic},
@@ -944,11 +939,6 @@ export function by_recipient(target_id, opts) {
     // don't use message_lists.current as it won't work for muted messages or for out-of-narrow links
     const message = message_store.get(target_id);
 
-    // We don't check msg_list.can_mark_messages_read here only because
-    // the target msg_list isn't initialized yet; in any case, the
-    // message is about to be marked read in the new view.
-    unread_ops.notify_server_message_read(message);
-
     switch (message.type) {
         case "private":
             by("dm", message.reply_to, opts);