diff --git a/js/views/conversation_list_item_view.js b/js/views/conversation_list_item_view.js
index 3aa27882..f4aa0fb1 100644
--- a/js/views/conversation_list_item_view.js
+++ b/js/views/conversation_list_item_view.js
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ var Whisper = Whisper || {};
         this.view.delegateEvents();
       }
       this.view.render();
+      this.$el.addClass('selected');
     },
 
     render: function() {
diff --git a/js/views/conversation_list_view.js b/js/views/conversation_list_view.js
index 7211368d..dcc912ae 100644
--- a/js/views/conversation_list_view.js
+++ b/js/views/conversation_list_view.js
@@ -10,15 +10,12 @@ var Whisper = Whisper || {};
     collection: Whisper.Threads,
 
     events: {
-      'click .conversation': 'select',
+      'click .contact': 'select',
     },
 
     select: function(e) {
-      var target = $(e.target).closest('.conversation');
-      if (!target.is('.selected')) {
-        target.siblings().removeClass('slected');
-        target.addClass('selected');
-      }
+      var target = $(e.target).closest('.contact');
+      target.siblings().removeClass('selected');
       return false;
     },
   });
diff --git a/stylesheets/index.css b/stylesheets/index.css
index c462deec..08862060 100644
--- a/stylesheets/index.css
+++ b/stylesheets/index.css
@@ -22,6 +22,10 @@ body {
   display: none;
 }
 
+.contact.selected {
+  background-color: aliceblue;
+}
+
 .conversation {
   margin: 0;
   padding: 0;