diff --git a/sass/discussion/_modals.scss b/sass/discussion/_modals.scss
index de1a27ecc9..fd05052a12 100644
--- a/sass/discussion/_modals.scss
+++ b/sass/discussion/_modals.scss
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
   padding-bottom: 10px;
   position: absolute;
   text-align: center;
+  z-index: 1;
 
   h3 {
     background: $mit-red;
diff --git a/sass/discussion/_question-view.scss b/sass/discussion/_question-view.scss
index 5b2c4d1c6a..3d878012ee 100644
--- a/sass/discussion/_question-view.scss
+++ b/sass/discussion/_question-view.scss
@@ -181,6 +181,7 @@ div.question-header {
           aside.comment-controls {
             background: none;
             border: none;
+            @include box-shadow(none);
             display: inline-block;
             margin-top: -8px;
             padding:0 2% 0 0;