diff --git a/customize.dist/src/less2/include/comments.less b/customize.dist/src/less2/include/comments.less
index 479609580..dc2ef0461 100644
--- a/customize.dist/src/less2/include/comments.less
+++ b/customize.dist/src/less2/include/comments.less
@@ -8,6 +8,10 @@
     overflow-y: auto;
     color: @cryptpad_text_col;
 
+    &:empty {
+        display: none !important;
+    }
+
     &.cp-comments-readonly {
         .cp-comment-actions {
             display: none !important;
@@ -61,10 +65,6 @@
         }
     }
 
-    #cp-comments-label {
-        display: none;
-    }
-
     .cp-comment-container {
         outline: none;
         &:not(:focus) {
diff --git a/www/pad/comments.js b/www/pad/comments.js
index 1e6f37259..3735bf650 100644
--- a/www/pad/comments.js
+++ b/www/pad/comments.js
@@ -307,10 +307,6 @@ define([
         // "show" tells us if we need to display the "comments" column or not
         var show = false;
 
-        // Add invisible label for accessibility tools
-        var label = h('label#cp-comments-label', Messages.comments_comment);
-        Env.$container.append(label);
-
         // If we were adding a new comment, redraw our form
         if ($oldInput && !$oldInput.attr('data-uid')) {
             show = true;
@@ -762,7 +758,7 @@ define([
 
             // Get all comments ID contained within the selection
             var applicable = Env.editor.plugins.comments.isApplicable();
-            if (!applicable) {
+            if (!applicable || !isEditable(Env.ifrWindow.document)) {
                 // Abort if our selection contains a comment
                 UI.warn(Messages.comments_error);
                 return;
@@ -777,7 +773,7 @@ define([
 
                 if (!val) { return; }
                 var applicable = Env.editor.plugins.comments.isApplicable();
-                if (!applicable) {
+                if (!applicable || !isEditable(Env.ifrWindow.document)) {
                     // text has been deleted by another user while we were typing our comment?
                     return void UI.warn(Messages.error);
                 }
@@ -853,6 +849,12 @@ define([
         var Env = cfg;
         Env.comments = Util.clone(COMMENTS);
 
+        // Add invisible label for accessibility tools
+        var label = h('label#cp-comments-label', {
+            style: "display:none;"
+        }, Messages.comments_comment);
+        Env.$container.before(label);
+
         var ro = cfg.framework.isReadOnly();
         var onEditableChange = function(unlocked) {
             Env.$container.removeClass('cp-comments-readonly');