diff --git a/frontends/primitivus/contact_list.py b/frontends/primitivus/contact_list.py
index e83be8ca..e45c69fe 100644
--- a/frontends/primitivus/contact_list.py
+++ b/frontends/primitivus/contact_list.py
@@ -95,10 +95,9 @@ class ContactList(urwid.WidgetWrap, QuickContactList):
             nick = self.CM.getAttr(jid,'nick')
             display = nick or name or jid.node or jid.short
             header = '(*) ' if contact in self.alert_jid else ''
-            widget = custom_widgets.SelectableText(display, selected = contact==self.selected, header=header)
+            widget = custom_widgets.SelectableText(('alert' if contact in self.alert_jid else 'default',display),
+                                                    selected = contact==self.selected, header=header)
             widget.data = contact
-            if contact in self.alert_jid:
-                widget.setAttribute('default','alert')
             content.append(widget)
             urwid.connect_signal(widget, 'change', self.__contactClicked)