diff --git a/src/roster.py b/src/roster.py
index d6fed94f..5a068909 100644
--- a/src/roster.py
+++ b/src/roster.py
@@ -69,18 +69,10 @@ class Roster(object):
         """Set the a Contact value for the bare jid key"""
         self.contacts[key] = value
 
-    def __delitem__(self, jid):
-        """Remove a contact from the roster"""
+    def remove(self, jid):
+        """Send a removal iq to the server"""
         jid = safeJID(jid).bare
-        contact = self[jid]
-        if not contact:
-            return
-        for group in list(self.groups.values()):
-            group.remove(contact)
-            if not group:
-                del self.groups[group.name]
-        del self.contacts[contact.bare_jid]
-        if jid in self.jids():
+        if self.__node[jid]:
             try:
                 self.__node[jid].send_presence(ptype='unavailable')
                 self.__node.remove(jid)
@@ -88,6 +80,20 @@ class Roster(object):
                 import traceback
                 log.debug('IqError when removing %s:\n%s', jid, traceback.format_exc())
 
+    def __delitem__(self, jid):
+        """Remove a contact from the roster view"""
+        jid = safeJID(jid).bare
+        contact = self[jid]
+        if not contact:
+            return
+        del self.contacts[contact.bare_jid]
+
+        for group in list(self.groups.values()):
+            group.remove(contact)
+            if not group:
+                del self.groups[group.name]
+        self.modified()
+
     def __iter__(self):
         """Iterate over the jids of the contacts"""
         return iter(self.contacts.values())
diff --git a/src/tabs.py b/src/tabs.py
index eb5b2192..3890adaf 100644
--- a/src/tabs.py
+++ b/src/tabs.py
@@ -2613,8 +2613,8 @@ class RosterInfoTab(Tab):
             else:
                 self.core.information('No roster item to remove')
                 return
+        roster.remove(jid)
         del roster[jid]
-        roster.modified()
 
     def command_import(self, arg):
         """