diff --git a/common/djangoapps/student/models.py b/common/djangoapps/student/models.py
index 55204f19f6..9cde878d21 100644
--- a/common/djangoapps/student/models.py
+++ b/common/djangoapps/student/models.py
@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@ def add_user_to_default_group(user, group):
     utg.users.add(User.objects.get(username=user))
     utg.save()
 
-# @receiver(post_save, sender=User)
+@receiver(post_save, sender=User)
 def update_user_information(sender, instance, created, **kwargs):
     try:
         cc_user = cc.User.from_django_user(instance)
diff --git a/lms/static/coffee/src/discussion/discussion.coffee b/lms/static/coffee/src/discussion/discussion.coffee
index d4b6a8a9c4..8f9639d344 100644
--- a/lms/static/coffee/src/discussion/discussion.coffee
+++ b/lms/static/coffee/src/discussion/discussion.coffee
@@ -109,6 +109,7 @@ if Backbone?
         @$(".discussion-cancel-post").click $.proxy(@cancelNewPost, @)
         
 
+      @$el.children(".blank").hide()
       @$(".new-post-form").show()
 
     submitNewPost: (event) ->
@@ -136,6 +137,8 @@ if Backbone?
           $thread = $(response.html)
           @$el.children(".threads").prepend($thread)
 
+          @$el.children(".blank").remove()
+
           @$(".new-post-similar-posts").empty()
           @$(".new-post-similar-posts-wrapper").hide()
           @$(".new-post-title").val("").attr("prev-text", "")
@@ -154,6 +157,7 @@ if Backbone?
         @$(".new-post-form").addClass("collapsed")
       else if @$el.hasClass("forum-discussion")
         @$(".new-post-form").hide()
+      @$el.children(".blank").show()
 
     search: (event) ->
       event.preventDefault()