diff --git a/src/bitmessagecurses/__init__.py b/src/bitmessagecurses/__init__.py
index fe9a77d2..46b2921b 100644
--- a/src/bitmessagecurses/__init__.py
+++ b/src/bitmessagecurses/__init__.py
@@ -706,6 +706,8 @@ def handlech(c, stdscr):
                     blackcur = len(blackcur)-1
         redraw(stdscr)
 def sendMessage(sender="", recv="", broadcast=None, subject="", body="", reply=False):
+    global streamNumber 
+    streamNumber = 0     #  0 = Auto  ,  1 = stream 1 is the only supported stream currently 
     if sender == "":
         return
     d = Dialog(dialog="dialog")