diff --git a/static/js/layout/controllers/navbar.controller.js b/static/js/layout/controllers/navbar.controller.js
index b656b8e8..9cd3b5da 100644
--- a/static/js/layout/controllers/navbar.controller.js
+++ b/static/js/layout/controllers/navbar.controller.js
@@ -42,6 +42,14 @@
             });
         }
 
+        function updateMessageStatus(status) {
+            if (status) {
+                self.hasNewMessages = status;
+            } else {
+                // TODO: handle logic
+            }
+        }
+
         function getNotifications() {
             User.getNotifications().then(
                 function success(response) {