diff --git a/src/scripts/messaging.controller.coffee b/src/scripts/messaging.controller.coffee
index 7cb5157..f447d75 100644
--- a/src/scripts/messaging.controller.coffee
+++ b/src/scripts/messaging.controller.coffee
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ MessagingController = ($scope, $document, $filter, API_URL, MessagesAPIService,
   vm.workId               = $scope.workId
   vm.threadId             = $scope.threadId
   vm.subscriberId         = $scope.subscriberId
-  vm.permissions          = $scope.permissions
+  vm.permissions          = $scope.permissions || ['CREATE', 'UPDATE', 'DELETE']
   vm.uploaderUploading    = null
   vm.uploaderHasErrors    = null
   vm.uploaderHasFiles     = null