diff --git a/ui/mail.lua b/ui/mail.lua
index 3f685e9..d6fc408 100644
--- a/ui/mail.lua
+++ b/ui/mail.lua
@@ -2,6 +2,9 @@
 
 function mail.show_mail_menu(playername, sortfield, sortdirection, filter)
     local index = mail.selected_idxs.boxtab[playername] or 1
+    if not mail.selected_idxs.boxtab[playername] then
+        mail.selected_idxs.boxtab[playername] = 1
+    end
     if index == 1 then
         mail.show_inbox(playername, sortfield, sortdirection, filter)
     elseif index == 2 then