diff --git a/fedireads/utils/models.py b/fedireads/models/base_model.py
similarity index 91%
rename from fedireads/utils/models.py
rename to fedireads/models/base_model.py
index bedc8e8ee..cd1cae077 100644
--- a/fedireads/utils/models.py
+++ b/fedireads/models/base_model.py
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@ from django.db import models
 
 from fedireads.settings import DOMAIN
 
-# TODO maybe this should be in /models?
 class FedireadsModel(models.Model):
     ''' fields and functions for every model '''
     created_date = models.DateTimeField(auto_now_add=True)
@@ -12,6 +11,9 @@ class FedireadsModel(models.Model):
     @property
     def absolute_id(self):
         ''' constructs the absolute reference to any db object '''
+        if self.remote_id:
+            return self.remote_id
+
         base_path = 'https://%s' % DOMAIN
         if hasattr(self, 'user'):
             base_path = self.user.absolute_id
diff --git a/fedireads/models/book.py b/fedireads/models/book.py
index 24ef34082..325734147 100644
--- a/fedireads/models/book.py
+++ b/fedireads/models/book.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ from model_utils.managers import InheritanceManager
 from fedireads import activitypub
 from fedireads.settings import DOMAIN
 from fedireads.utils.fields import JSONField, ArrayField
-from fedireads.utils.models import FedireadsModel
+from .base_model import FedireadsModel
 
 from fedireads.connectors.settings import CONNECTORS
 
diff --git a/fedireads/models/shelf.py b/fedireads/models/shelf.py
index a87a19cb6..ff625a097 100644
--- a/fedireads/models/shelf.py
+++ b/fedireads/models/shelf.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 from django.db import models
 
 from fedireads import activitypub
-from fedireads.utils.models import FedireadsModel
+from .base_model import FedireadsModel
 
 
 class Shelf(FedireadsModel):
diff --git a/fedireads/models/status.py b/fedireads/models/status.py
index b567b9db9..171d1a675 100644
--- a/fedireads/models/status.py
+++ b/fedireads/models/status.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ from django.db import models
 from model_utils.managers import InheritanceManager
 
 from fedireads import activitypub
-from fedireads.utils.models import FedireadsModel
+from .base_model import FedireadsModel
 
 
 class Status(FedireadsModel):
@@ -113,13 +113,6 @@ class Favorite(FedireadsModel):
     status = models.ForeignKey('Status', on_delete=models.PROTECT)
     remote_id = models.CharField(max_length=255, unique=True, null=True)
 
-    @property
-    def absolute_id(self):
-        ''' constructs the absolute reference to any db object '''
-        if self.remote_id:
-            return self.remote_id
-        return super().absolute_id
-
     class Meta:
         unique_together = ('user', 'status')
 
diff --git a/fedireads/models/user.py b/fedireads/models/user.py
index 13fa82459..477617e31 100644
--- a/fedireads/models/user.py
+++ b/fedireads/models/user.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ from django.dispatch import receiver
 
 from fedireads.models.shelf import Shelf
 from fedireads.settings import DOMAIN
-from fedireads.utils.models import FedireadsModel
+from .base_model import FedireadsModel
 
 
 class User(AbstractUser):