diff --git a/webapp/utils/utils.jsx b/webapp/utils/utils.jsx
index 83519a6ec5..99765cae2a 100644
--- a/webapp/utils/utils.jsx
+++ b/webapp/utils/utils.jsx
@@ -1255,12 +1255,15 @@ export function windowHeight() {
 }
 
 export function openDirectChannelToUser(user, successCb, errorCb) {
+    AsyncClient.savePreference(
+        Constants.Preferences.CATEGORY_DIRECT_CHANNEL_SHOW,
+        user.id,
+        'true'
+    );
+
     const channelName = this.getDirectChannelName(UserStore.getCurrentId(), user.id);
     let channel = ChannelStore.getByName(channelName);
 
-    const preference = PreferenceStore.setPreference(Constants.Preferences.CATEGORY_DIRECT_CHANNEL_SHOW, user.id, 'true');
-    AsyncClient.savePreferences([preference]);
-
     if (channel) {
         if ($.isFunction(successCb)) {
             successCb(channel, true);