diff --git a/js/views/new_conversation_view.js b/js/views/new_conversation_view.js
index 3d0c1fc4..e4da52a6 100644
--- a/js/views/new_conversation_view.js
+++ b/js/views/new_conversation_view.js
@@ -51,7 +51,9 @@ var Whisper = Whisper || {};
         });
 
         this.typeahead_view.$el.appendTo(this.$el.find('.contacts'));
-        this.typeahead_collection.fetch();
+        this.typeahead_collection.fetch({
+            conditions: { type: 'private' }
+        });
 
         this.new_contact = new Whisper.ConversationListItemView({
             model: new Whisper.Conversation({