diff --git a/message/ajax.php b/message/ajax.php
index b4362d64cc3..7a4bb6573bf 100644
--- a/message/ajax.php
+++ b/message/ajax.php
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ if (empty($CFG->messaging)) {
     throw new moodle_exception('disabled', 'core_message');
 }
 
+$PAGE->set_context(null);
 require_sesskey();
 $action = optional_param('action', null, PARAM_ALPHA);
 $response = null;