diff --git a/addons/mail/static/src/components/message_list/message_list.scss b/addons/mail/static/src/components/message_list/message_list.scss
index cb06adda261..f003ef2db25 100644
--- a/addons/mail/static/src/components/message_list/message_list.scss
+++ b/addons/mail/static/src/components/message_list/message_list.scss
@@ -78,6 +78,8 @@
 
 .o_MessageList_empty {
     text-align: center;
+    font-style: italic;
+    color: $text-muted;
 }
 
 .o_MessageList_emptyTitle {