diff --git a/www/common/common-messaging.js b/www/common/common-messaging.js
index 0fccf2f17..4fecba707 100644
--- a/www/common/common-messaging.js
+++ b/www/common/common-messaging.js
@@ -4,7 +4,22 @@ define([
     '/common/curve.js',
     '/bower_components/marked/marked.min.js',
 ], function ($, Crypto, Curve, Marked) {
-    var Msg = {};
+    var Msg = {
+        inputs: [],
+    };
+
+    var Messages;
+    var setEditable = Msg.setEditable = function (bool) {
+        bool = !bool;
+        Msg.inputs.forEach(function (input) {
+            input.setAttribute('disabled', bool);
+            if (Messages) {
+                // set placeholder
+                var placeholder = bool? Messages.disconnected: Messages.contacts_typeHere;
+                input.setAttribute('placeholder', placeholder);
+            }
+        });
+    };
 
     var Types = {
         message: 'MSG',
@@ -310,10 +325,9 @@ define([
         $('<div>', {'class': 'messages'}).appendTo($container);
         var $inputBlock = $('<div>', {'class': 'input'}).appendTo($container);
 
-        // Input
-        var channel = channels[data.channel];
         var $input = $('<textarea>').appendTo($inputBlock);
         $input.attr('placeholder', common.Messages.contacts_typeHere);
+        Msg.inputs.push($input[0]);
 
         var sending = false;
         var send = function () {
@@ -385,6 +399,8 @@ define([
         var proxy = common.getProxy();
         Msg.hk = network.historyKeeper;
         var friends = getFriendList(common);
+        Messages = Messages || common.Messages;
+
         network.on('message', function(msg, sender) {
             onDirectMessage(common, msg, sender);
         });
diff --git a/www/common/cryptpad-common.js b/www/common/cryptpad-common.js
index 94499dbb5..190069804 100644
--- a/www/common/cryptpad-common.js
+++ b/www/common/cryptpad-common.js
@@ -128,6 +128,7 @@ define([
     common.getFriendListUI = Messaging.getFriendListUI;
     common.createData = Messaging.createData;
     common.getPendingInvites = Messaging.getPending;
+    common.enableMessaging = Messaging.setEditable;
 
     // Userlist
     common.createUserList = UserList.create;
diff --git a/www/contacts/main.js b/www/contacts/main.js
index d98a747b1..a3e358fcc 100644
--- a/www/contacts/main.js
+++ b/www/contacts/main.js
@@ -39,12 +39,12 @@ define([
         toolbar.$rightside.html(''); // Remove the drawer if we don't use it to hide the toolbar
 
         Cryptpad.getProxy().on('disconnect', function () {
-            // TODO readonly
             Cryptpad.alert(Messages.common_connectionLost, undefined, true);
+            Cryptpad.enableMessaging(false);
         });
         Cryptpad.getProxy().on('reconnect', function () {
-            // TODO cancel readonly
             Cryptpad.findOKButton().click();
+            Cryptpad.enableMessaging(true);
         });
 
         Cryptpad.initMessaging(Cryptpad, $list, $messages);
diff --git a/www/contacts/main.less b/www/contacts/main.less
index 85729bfd3..99c3b14b9 100644
--- a/www/contacts/main.less
+++ b/www/contacts/main.less
@@ -223,7 +223,10 @@ body {
             resize: none;
             line-height: 50px;
             overflow-y: auto;
-            .placeholder;
+            .placeholder(#bbb);
+            &[disabled=true] {
+                .placeholder(#999);
+            }
             &:placeholder-shown { line-height: 50px; }
         }
         button {