diff --git a/bookwyrm/activitystreams.py b/bookwyrm/activitystreams.py
index 1feb495b7..f843641f5 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/activitystreams.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/activitystreams.py
@@ -480,12 +480,14 @@ def handle_boost_task(boost_id):
     instance = models.Status.objects.get(id=boost_id)
     boosted = instance.boost.boosted_status
 
+    # previous boosts of this status
     old_versions = models.Boost.objects.filter(
         boosted_status__id=boosted.id,
         created_date__lt=instance.created_date,
     )
 
     for stream in streams.values():
+        # people who should see the boost (not people who see the original status)
         audience = stream.get_stores_for_object(instance)
         stream.remove_object_from_related_stores(boosted, stores=audience)
         for status in old_versions:
diff --git a/bookwyrm/redis_store.py b/bookwyrm/redis_store.py
index 521e73b26..78f373a2e 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/redis_store.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/redis_store.py
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ class RedisStore(ABC):
 
     def remove_object_from_related_stores(self, obj, stores=None):
         """remove an object from all stores"""
-        stores = stores or self.get_stores_for_object(obj)
+        stores = self.get_stores_for_object(obj) if stores is None else stores
         pipeline = r.pipeline()
         for store in stores:
             pipeline.zrem(store, -1, obj.id)
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/activitystreams/test_tasks.py b/bookwyrm/tests/activitystreams/test_tasks.py
index 1002e4a8a..887047830 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/activitystreams/test_tasks.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/activitystreams/test_tasks.py
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ class Activitystreams(TestCase):
     @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.BooksStream.remove_object_from_related_stores")
     @patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay")
     def test_boost_to_another_timeline(self, *_):
-        """add a boost and deduplicate the boosted status on the timeline"""
+        """boost from a non-follower doesn't remove original status from feed"""
         status = models.Status.objects.create(user=self.local_user, content="hi")
         with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.handle_boost_task.delay"):
             boost = models.Boost.objects.create(
@@ -138,6 +138,7 @@ class Activitystreams(TestCase):
             activitystreams.handle_boost_task(boost.id)
 
         self.assertTrue(mock.called)
+        self.assertEqual(mock.call_count, 1)
         call_args = mock.call_args
         self.assertEqual(call_args[0][0], status)
         self.assertEqual(