diff --git a/mu4e/mu4e-compose.el b/mu4e/mu4e-compose.el
index 64652502..dd0c6e12 100644
--- a/mu4e/mu4e-compose.el
+++ b/mu4e/mu4e-compose.el
@@ -368,8 +368,9 @@ tempfile)."
   (set (make-local-variable 'mu4e-compose-parent-message) original-msg)
   (put 'mu4e-compose-parent-message 'permanent-local t)
   (let ((context (mu4e-context-determine mu4e-compose-parent-message)))
-    (when context
-      (mu4e-context-switch (mu4e-context-name context))))
+    (if context
+        (mu4e-context-switch (mu4e-context-name context))
+      (when mu4e-contexts (mu4e-context-switch))))
   (run-hooks 'mu4e-compose-pre-hook)
 
   ;; this opens (or re-opens) a messages with all the basic headers set.