diff --git a/mozilla/suite/common/pref/pref-download.js b/mozilla/suite/common/pref/pref-download.js
index a970bdef5af..fb13122b1a1 100644
--- a/mozilla/suite/common/pref/pref-download.js
+++ b/mozilla/suite/common/pref/pref-download.js
@@ -2,15 +2,10 @@ function Startup()
 {
   PlaySoundCheck();
 
-  // if we can't get the alert service, hide the pref UI for using alerts to notify on new mail
+  // if we don't have the alert service, hide the pref UI for using alerts to notify on new mail
   // see bug #158711
-  try {
-    var alertService = Components.classes["@mozilla.org/alerts-service;1"].getService(Components.interfaces.nsIAlertsService);
-  }
-  catch(ex) {
-    var newMailNotificationAlertUI = document.getElementById("newMailNotificationAlert");
-    newMailNotificationAlertUI.setAttribute("hidden","true");
-  }
+  var newMailNotificationAlertUI = document.getElementById("newMailNotificationAlert");
+  newMailNotificationAlertUI.hidden = !("@mozilla.org/alerts-service;1" in Components.classes);
 }
 
 function PlaySoundCheck()