diff --git a/src/js/main.js b/src/js/main.js
index 23f7eaeca..20f4da0d0 100644
--- a/src/js/main.js
+++ b/src/js/main.js
@@ -73,8 +73,7 @@ angular.module('Application').controller('MainController', ['$scope', '$route',
 
     // update state of acknowledged notification
     $scope.notificationAcknowledged = function () {
-        if ($scope.notificationCount === 0) return; // already down to 0
-        $scope.notificationCount--;
+        refreshNotifications();
     };
 
     function init() {
diff --git a/src/views/notifications.js b/src/views/notifications.js
index 93066be19..03445bb76 100644
--- a/src/views/notifications.js
+++ b/src/views/notifications.js
@@ -70,7 +70,6 @@ angular.module('Application').controller('NotificationsController', ['$scope', '
                     console.error(error);
                 } else {
                     notification.acknowledged = true;
-                    $scope.$parent.notificationAcknowledged();
                 }
 
                 callback();
@@ -78,6 +77,9 @@ angular.module('Application').controller('NotificationsController', ['$scope', '
         }, function (error) {
             if (error) console.error(error);
 
+            // refresh the main navbar indicator
+            $scope.$parent.notificationAcknowledged();
+
             $scope.hasUnread = false;
             $scope.clearAllBusy = false;
         });