diff --git a/js/ui/messageList.js b/js/ui/messageList.js
index f4e43f7ae..29e76752b 100644
--- a/js/ui/messageList.js
+++ b/js/ui/messageList.js
@@ -535,8 +535,10 @@ var Message = GObject.registerClass({
 
         if (keysym == Clutter.KEY_Delete ||
             keysym == Clutter.KEY_KP_Delete) {
-            this.close();
-            return Clutter.EVENT_STOP;
+            if (this.canClose()) {
+                this.close();
+                return Clutter.EVENT_STOP;
+            }
         }
         return super.vfunc_key_press_event(keyEvent);
     }