diff --git a/securedrop_client/gui/widgets.py b/securedrop_client/gui/widgets.py
index 39159dba7..aa0d8194a 100644
--- a/securedrop_client/gui/widgets.py
+++ b/securedrop_client/gui/widgets.py
@@ -3750,6 +3750,7 @@ def start_deletion(self):
         self.setStyleSheet(css)
 
         self.reply_box.text_edit.setDisabled(True)
+        self.reply_box.text_edit.hide()
         self.reply_box.send_button.setDisabled(True)
         self.conversation_title_bar.setDisabled(True)
         self.conversation_view.hide()
@@ -3768,7 +3769,8 @@ def end_deletion(self):
         self.reply_box.setStyleSheet(css)
         self.setStyleSheet(css)
 
-        self.reply_box.setEnabled(True)
+        self.reply_box.text_edit.setEnabled(True)
+        self.reply_box.text_edit.show()
         self.reply_box.send_button.setEnabled(True)
         self.conversation_title_bar.setEnabled(True)
         self.conversation_view.show()
@@ -3925,6 +3927,10 @@ def __init__(self, source, controller):
 
         self.setObjectName("ReplyTextEdit")
 
+        retain_space = self.sizePolicy()
+        retain_space.setRetainSizeWhenHidden(True)
+        self.setSizePolicy(retain_space)
+
         self.setVerticalScrollBarPolicy(Qt.ScrollBarAlwaysOff)
         self.setTabChangesFocus(True)  # Needed so we can TAB to send button.
         self.setCursor(QCursor(Qt.IBeamCursor))