diff --git a/commands/account/view.go b/commands/account/view.go
index b287406..aab9052 100644
--- a/commands/account/view.go
+++ b/commands/account/view.go
@@ -30,8 +30,11 @@ func (ViewMessage) Execute(aerc *widgets.Aerc, args []string) error {
 	}
 	store := acct.Messages().Store()
 	msg := acct.Messages().Selected()
+	if msg == nil {
+		return nil
+	}
 	_, deleted := store.Deleted[msg.Uid]
-	if msg == nil || deleted {
+	if deleted {
 		return nil
 	}
 	viewer := widgets.NewMessageViewer(acct, aerc.Config(), store, msg)