textbox.Focus() not working in C#

am wondering why this code fails to focus the textbox...?

private void sendEmail_btn_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{    
    String sendTo = recipientEmail_tbx.Text.Trim();
    if (!IsValidEmailAddress(sendTo))
    {
        MessageBox.Show("Please Enter valid Email address","Cognex" MessageBoxButtons.OK, MessageBoxIcon.Error);                
        recipientEmail_tbx.Focus();
    }
}