diff --git a/securedrop_client/gui/widgets.py b/securedrop_client/gui/widgets.py
index 33079f0dae..521fda56b2 100644
--- a/securedrop_client/gui/widgets.py
+++ b/securedrop_client/gui/widgets.py
@@ -658,7 +658,9 @@ def on_source_changed(self):
             self.source_conversations[source.uuid] = conversation_wrapper
 
         self.set_conversation(conversation_wrapper)
-        self.source_list.mark_seen.emit(source.uuid)
+
+        if self.controller.authenticated:
+            self.source_list.mark_seen.emit(source.uuid)
 
     def delete_conversation(self, source_uuid: str) -> None:
         """
@@ -1009,6 +1011,7 @@ def __init__(self, controller: Controller, source: Source, mark_seen_signal: pyq
         self.controller = controller
         self.controller.source_deleted.connect(self._on_source_deleted)
         self.controller.source_deletion_failed.connect(self._on_source_deletion_failed)
+        self.controller.authentication_state.connect(self._on_authentication_changed)
         mark_seen_signal.connect(self._on_mark_seen)
 
         # Store source
@@ -1115,7 +1118,8 @@ def update(self):
                 self.paperclip.hide()
             self.star.update(self.source.is_starred)
 
-            self.seen = self.source.seen
+            # When not authenticated we always show the source as having been seen
+            self.seen = True if not self.controller.is_authenticated else self.source.seen
             self.update_styles()
         except sqlalchemy.exc.InvalidRequestError as e:
             logger.debug(f"Could not update SourceWidget for source {self.source_uuid}: {e}")
@@ -1162,6 +1166,15 @@ def update_styles(self) -> None:
             self.preview.setObjectName("SourceWidget_preview_unread")
             self.setStyleSheet(self.SOURCE_CSS)
 
+    @pyqtSlot(bool)
+    def _on_authentication_changed(self, authenticated: bool) -> None:
+        """
+        When the user logs out, show source as seen.
+        """
+        if not authenticated:
+            self.seen = True
+            self.update_styles()
+
     @pyqtSlot(str)
     def _on_mark_seen(self, source_uuid: str):
         if self.source_uuid != source_uuid: