diff --git a/bookwyrm/incoming.py b/bookwyrm/incoming.py
index bcb021ca7..8eca4cfbf 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/incoming.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/incoming.py
@@ -269,11 +269,10 @@ def handle_favorite(activity):
 @app.task
 def handle_unfavorite(activity):
     ''' approval of your good good post '''
-    try:
-        like = models.Favorite.objects.filter(
-            remote_id=activity['object']['id']
-        ).first()
-    except models.Favorite.DoesNotExist:
+    like = models.Favorite.objects.filter(
+        remote_id=activity['object']['id']
+    ).first()
+    if not like:
         return
     like.delete()
 
diff --git a/bookwyrm/outgoing.py b/bookwyrm/outgoing.py
index c0253a99a..a196fcecf 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/outgoing.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/outgoing.py
@@ -286,6 +286,12 @@ def handle_favorite(user, status):
     fav_activity = favorite.to_activity()
     broadcast(
         user, fav_activity, privacy='direct', direct_recipients=[status.user])
+    create_notification(
+        status.user,
+        'FAVORITE',
+        related_user=user,
+        related_status=status
+    )
 
 
 def handle_unfavorite(user, status):
@@ -319,6 +325,13 @@ def handle_boost(user, status):
     boost_activity = boost.to_activity()
     broadcast(user, boost_activity)
 
+    create_notification(
+        status.user,
+        'BOOST',
+        related_user=user,
+        related_status=status
+    )
+
 
 def handle_unboost(user, status):
     ''' a user regrets boosting a status '''