diff --git a/devplacepy/routers/messages.py b/devplacepy/routers/messages.py
index 754ce4fa..228ca607 100644
--- a/devplacepy/routers/messages.py
+++ b/devplacepy/routers/messages.py
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@ from devplacepy.templating import clear_messages_cache
 from devplacepy.utils import (
     require_user,
     time_ago,
-    is_admin,
     _user_from_session,
     _user_from_api_key,
 )
@@ -153,7 +152,6 @@ async def messages_page(request: Request, with_uid: str = None, search: str = ""
     other_last_seen = None
     if with_uid:
         messages, other_user = get_conversation_messages(user["uid"], with_uid)
-        mark_conversation_read(user["uid"], with_uid)
         mark_notifications_read_by_target(
             user["uid"], f"/messages?with_uid={with_uid}"
         )
diff --git a/tests/api/messages/index.py b/tests/api/messages/index.py
index 20d83130..d832dac0 100644
--- a/tests/api/messages/index.py
+++ b/tests/api/messages/index.py
@@ -115,7 +115,6 @@ def _seed_news_audit_log():
     )
     refresh_snapshot()
     return uid
-from devplacepy.database import get_table
 JSON_content_negotiation = {"Accept": "application/json"}
 _counter_content_negotiation = [0]
 def _session_content_negotiation(password="secret123"):
@@ -180,3 +179,56 @@ def test_messages_conversation_list_avatar_has_presence_dot(app_server):
     assert "conversation-item" in html
     assert "presence-dot" in html
     assert f'data-presence-uid="{other_uid}"' in html
+
+
+def test_notification_open_does_not_mark_messages_read(app_server, seeded_db):
+    """Regression: opening a DM notification must NOT mark the conversation read.
+    The GET /messages?with_uid=... handler should NOT call mark_conversation_read;
+    only the WebSocket markRead mechanism should do that.
+    """
+    sender, sender_name = _member()
+    receiver, receiver_name = _member()
+
+    refresh_snapshot()
+    sender_user = _db_user(sender_name)
+    receiver_user = _db_user(receiver_name)
+
+    send_resp = sender.post(
+        f"{BASE_URL}/messages/send",
+        data={"receiver_uid": receiver_user["uid"], "content": "DM that must stay unread"},
+        allow_redirects=True,
+    )
+    assert send_resp.status_code == 200, send_resp.text[:300]
+
+    refresh_snapshot()
+    msg = get_table("messages").find_one(
+        sender_uid=sender_user["uid"], receiver_uid=receiver_user["uid"]
+    )
+    assert msg is not None, "message should exist"
+    assert msg["read"] == 0, f"expected read=0 after send, got {msg['read']}"
+
+    n_uid = generate_uid()
+    get_table("notifications").insert({
+        "uid": n_uid,
+        "user_uid": receiver_user["uid"],
+        "type": "message",
+        "message": "sent you a message",
+        "related_uid": sender_user["uid"],
+        "target_url": f"/messages?with_uid={sender_user['uid']}",
+        "read": False,
+        "created_at": datetime.now(timezone.utc).isoformat(),
+    })
+
+    receiver.get(f"{BASE_URL}/notifications/open/{n_uid}", allow_redirects=True)
+
+    refresh_snapshot()
+    n = get_table("notifications").find_one(uid=n_uid)
+    assert n is not None, "notification should exist"
+    assert n["read"] in (1, True, "1"), "notification should be marked read"
+
+    refresh_snapshot()
+    msg_after = get_table("messages").find_one(uid=msg["uid"])
+    assert msg_after is not None, "message should still exist"
+    assert msg_after["read"] == 0, (
+        f"expected read=0 after notification open, got {msg_after['read']}"
+    )