diff --git a/UI/WebServerResources/MailerUI.js b/UI/WebServerResources/MailerUI.js
index 3f7bcf3d0..876eb5a85 100644
--- a/UI/WebServerResources/MailerUI.js
+++ b/UI/WebServerResources/MailerUI.js
@@ -224,6 +224,16 @@ function ml_lowlight(sender) {
 
 /* bulk delete of messages */
 
+function onDocumentKeydown(event) {
+  var e = event || window.event;
+	var target = getTarget(event);
+	if (e.keyCode == Event.KEY_BACKSPACE &&
+			target.tagName != "INPUT") {
+		deleteSelectedMessages();
+		Event.stop(event);
+	}
+}
+
 function deleteSelectedMessages(sender) {
   var messageList = $("messageList");
   var rowIds = messageList.getSelectedRowsId();
@@ -1301,6 +1311,8 @@ function initMailer(event) {
     //     initDnd();
     initMailboxTree();
     initMessageCheckTimer();
+		
+		Event.observe(document, "keydown", onDocumentKeydown);
   }
   
   // Default sort options