diff --git a/web/src/message_events.js b/web/src/message_events.js
index f61944fa64..fe3329932a 100644
--- a/web/src/message_events.js
+++ b/web/src/message_events.js
@@ -41,9 +41,8 @@ import * as util from "./util.ts";
 
 function filter_has_term_type(filter, term_type) {
     return (
-        filter !== undefined &&
-        (filter.sorted_term_types().includes(term_type) ||
-            filter.sorted_term_types().includes(`not-${term_type}`))
+        filter.sorted_term_types().includes(term_type) ||
+        filter.sorted_term_types().includes(`not-${term_type}`)
     );
 }
 
@@ -81,7 +80,7 @@ export function update_current_view_for_topic_visibility() {
     // is easier to just load the narrow from scratch, instead of asking server
     // for relevant messages in the updated topic.
     const filter = message_lists.current?.data.filter;
-    if (filter_has_term_type(filter, "is-followed")) {
+    if (filter !== undefined && filter_has_term_type(filter, "is-followed")) {
         // Use `set_timeout to call after we update the topic
         // visibility policy locally.
         // Calling this outside `user_topics_ui` to avoid circular imports.