diff --git a/app/src/main/java/eu/faircode/email/FragmentCompose.java b/app/src/main/java/eu/faircode/email/FragmentCompose.java
index eab942754d..f046bb8732 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/eu/faircode/email/FragmentCompose.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/eu/faircode/email/FragmentCompose.java
@@ -1370,10 +1370,14 @@ public class FragmentCompose extends FragmentBase {
         menu.findItem(R.id.menu_clear).setEnabled(state == State.LOADED);
 
         int colorEncrypt = Helper.resolveColor(getContext(), R.attr.colorEncrypt);
+
         View v = menu.findItem(R.id.menu_encrypt).getActionView();
         ImageButton ib = v.findViewById(R.id.button);
         TextView tv = v.findViewById(R.id.text);
+
+        v.setAlpha(state == State.LOADED ? 1f : Helper.LOW_LIGHT);
         ib.setEnabled(state == State.LOADED);
+
         if (EntityMessage.PGP_SIGNONLY.equals(encrypt) || EntityMessage.SMIME_SIGNONLY.equals(encrypt)) {
             ib.setImageResource(R.drawable.twotone_gesture_24);
             ib.setImageTintList(null);