diff --git a/src/discussions/data/hooks.js b/src/discussions/data/hooks.js
index 0c6ad576..775d039b 100644
--- a/src/discussions/data/hooks.js
+++ b/src/discussions/data/hooks.js
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ export const useSidebarVisible = () => {
     return true;
   }
 
-  if (isViewingTopics || isViewingLearners) {
+  if ((isViewingTopics || isViewingLearners) && totalThreads > 0) {
     return true;
   }
 
diff --git a/src/discussions/posts/PostsList.jsx b/src/discussions/posts/PostsList.jsx
index ac349442..9573afdb 100644
--- a/src/discussions/posts/PostsList.jsx
+++ b/src/discussions/posts/PostsList.jsx
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ import {
 import { fetchThreads } from './data/thunks';
 import NoResults from './NoResults';
 import { PostLink } from './post';
+import { selectTopicFilter } from '../topics/data/selectors';
 
 function PostsList({
   posts, topics, intl, isTopicTab,
@@ -88,6 +89,7 @@ function PostsList({
     <>
       {postInstances(pinnedPosts)}
       {postInstances(unpinnedPosts)}
+      {posts?.length === 0 && loadingStatus === RequestStatus.SUCCESSFUL && <NoResults />}
       {loadingStatus === RequestStatus.IN_PROGRESS ? (
         <div className="d-flex justify-content-center p-4">
           <Spinner animation="border" variant="primary" size="lg" />