diff --git a/src/pyj/book_list/home.pyj b/src/pyj/book_list/home.pyj
index 6417a357db..129f952c3f 100644
--- a/src/pyj/book_list/home.pyj
+++ b/src/pyj/book_list/home.pyj
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ from dom import ensure_id
 from elementmaker import E
 from session import get_interface_data
 from gettext import gettext as _
+from utils import conditional_timeout
 
 from book_list.globals import get_db
 from book_list.top_bar import create_top_bar
@@ -13,12 +14,10 @@ from book_list.ui import set_default_panel_handler, show_panel
 
 
 def show_recent():
+    container = this
     db = get_db()
     if not db.initialized:
-        window.setTimeout(show_recent.bind(this), 5)
-        return
-    container = document.getElementById(this)
-    if not container:
+        conditional_timeout(container.id, 5, show_recent)
         return
 
 
@@ -31,7 +30,7 @@ def init(container_id):
     recent = E.div(style='display:none')
     recent_container_id = ensure_id(recent)
     container.appendChild(recent)
-    window.setTimeout(show_recent.bind(recent_container_id), 5)
+    conditional_timeout(recent_container_id, 5, show_recent)
 
     # Choose library
     cl = E.div(
diff --git a/src/pyj/utils.pyj b/src/pyj/utils.pyj
index 3bb8fe40a1..e89131886d 100644
--- a/src/pyj/utils.pyj
+++ b/src/pyj/utils.pyj
@@ -162,6 +162,13 @@ def uniq(vals):
             ans.push(x)
     return ans
 
+def conditional_timeout(elem_id, timeout, func):
+    def ct_impl():
+        elem = document.getElementById(elem_id)
+        if elem:
+            func.call(elem)
+    window.setTimeout(ct_impl, timeout)
+
 if __name__ is '__main__':
     from pythonize import strings
     strings()