diff --git a/emacs/notmuch-tree.el b/emacs/notmuch-tree.el
index 7f68efba..e6a6e67f 100644
--- a/emacs/notmuch-tree.el
+++ b/emacs/notmuch-tree.el
@@ -643,21 +643,23 @@ nil otherwise."
       (forward-line dir))
     (not (funcall eobfn))))
 
+(defun notmuch-tree-matching-message (&optional prev)
+  "Move to the next or previous matching message"
+  (interactive "P")
+  (forward-line (if prev -1 nil))
+  (notmuch-tree-goto-matching-message prev)
+  (when (window-live-p notmuch-tree-message-window)
+    (notmuch-tree-show-message-in)))
+
 (defun notmuch-tree-prev-matching-message ()
   "Move to previous matching message."
   (interactive)
-  (forward-line -1)
-  (notmuch-tree-goto-matching-message t)
-  (when (window-live-p notmuch-tree-message-window)
-    (notmuch-tree-show-message-in)))
+  (notmuch-tree-matching-message t))
 
 (defun notmuch-tree-next-matching-message ()
   "Move to next matching message."
   (interactive)
-  (forward-line)
-  (notmuch-tree-goto-matching-message)
-  (when (window-live-p notmuch-tree-message-window)
-    (notmuch-tree-show-message-in)))
+  (notmuch-tree-matching-message))
 
 (defun notmuch-tree-refresh-view (&optional view)
   "Refresh view."