diff --git a/mailnews/compose/prefs/resources/content/pref-composing_messages.xul b/mailnews/compose/prefs/resources/content/pref-composing_messages.xul
index fe7a7f34a895..cada386e2f95 100644
--- a/mailnews/compose/prefs/resources/content/pref-composing_messages.xul
+++ b/mailnews/compose/prefs/resources/content/pref-composing_messages.xul
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@
 
       if (!spellChecker) {
         var spellCheckerCheckbox = document.getElementById("spellCheckBeforeSend");
-        spellCheckerCheckbox.setAttribute("disabled","true");
+        spellCheckerCheckbox.setAttribute("hidden","true");
       }
     }
   ]]>