diff --git a/lib/src/message_list_view.dart b/lib/src/message_list_view.dart
index 803ce456..88e33ddc 100644
--- a/lib/src/message_list_view.dart
+++ b/lib/src/message_list_view.dart
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ class _MessageListViewState extends State<MessageListView> {
   Function _onThreadTap;
   bool _showScrollToBottom = false;
   ItemPositionsListener _itemPositionListener;
-  int messageListLength;
+  int _messageListLength;
 
   @override
   Widget build(BuildContext context) {
@@ -207,9 +207,9 @@ class _MessageListViewState extends State<MessageListView> {
           final newMessagesListLength = messages.length;
 
           if (_itemPositionListener.itemPositions.value?.isNotEmpty == true &&
-              messageListLength != null) {
+              _messageListLength != null) {
             final first = _itemPositionListener.itemPositions.value.first;
-            final diff = newMessagesListLength - messageListLength;
+            final diff = newMessagesListLength - _messageListLength;
             if (diff > 0) {
               _scrollController.jumpTo(
                 index: first.index + diff,
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ class _MessageListViewState extends State<MessageListView> {
             }
           }
 
-          messageListLength = newMessagesListLength;
+          _messageListLength = newMessagesListLength;
 
           return Stack(
             alignment: Alignment.center,