diff --git a/osu.Game/Online/Chat/ChannelManager.cs b/osu.Game/Online/Chat/ChannelManager.cs
index 3ce162ee30..d9098956ec 100644
--- a/osu.Game/Online/Chat/ChannelManager.cs
+++ b/osu.Game/Online/Chat/ChannelManager.cs
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ namespace osu.Game.Online.Chat
                 throw new ArgumentNullException(nameof(user));
 
             CurrentChannel.Value = JoinedChannels.FirstOrDefault(c => c.Type == ChannelType.PM && c.Users.Count == 1 && c.Users.Any(u => u.Id == user.Id))
-                                   ?? new Channel { Name = user.Username, Users = { user } };
+                                   ?? new Channel { Name = user.Username, Users = { user }, Type = ChannelType.PM };
         }
 
         private void currentChannelChanged(Channel channel) => JoinChannel(channel);