diff --git a/lib/ui/interfaces.go b/lib/ui/interfaces.go
index 7e11725..8a62ecf 100644
--- a/lib/ui/interfaces.go
+++ b/lib/ui/interfaces.go
@@ -4,6 +4,9 @@ import (
 	"github.com/gdamore/tcell/v2"
 )
 
+// AercMsg is used to communicate within aerc
+type AercMsg interface{}
+
 // Drawable is a UI component that can draw. Unless specified, all methods must
 // only be called from a single goroutine, the UI goroutine.
 type Drawable interface {
diff --git a/lib/ui/ui.go b/lib/ui/ui.go
index 632d5f1..d477242 100644
--- a/lib/ui/ui.go
+++ b/lib/ui/ui.go
@@ -7,6 +7,14 @@ import (
 	"github.com/gdamore/tcell/v2"
 )
 
+var MsgChannel = make(chan AercMsg, 50)
+
+// QueueRedraw sends a nil message into the MsgChannel. Nothing will handle this
+// message, but a redraw will occur if the UI is marked as invalid
+func QueueRedraw() {
+	MsgChannel <- nil
+}
+
 type UI struct {
 	Content DrawableInteractive
 	exit    atomic.Value // bool