diff --git a/bookwyrm/models/list.py b/bookwyrm/models/list.py
index 9b05c81b5..3d8c5ae14 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/models/list.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/models/list.py
@@ -101,15 +101,10 @@ class List(OrderedCollectionMixin, BookWyrmModel):
     def remove_from_group(cls, owner, user):
         """remove a list from a group"""
 
-        memberships = GroupMember.objects.filter(group__user=owner, user=user).all()
-
-        for membership in memberships:
-            # remove this user's group-curated lists from the group
-            cls.objects.filter(group=membership.group, user=membership.user).update(
+        cls.objects.filter(group__user=owner, user=user).all().update(
                 group=None, curation="closed"
             )
 
-
 class ListItem(CollectionItemMixin, BookWyrmModel):
     """ok"""
 
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/list.py b/bookwyrm/views/list.py
index 5dae128e6..cc49f009c 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/list.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/list.py
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ class Lists(View):
         book_list = form.save()
         # list should not have a group if it is not group curated
         if not book_list.curation == "group":
-            models.List.objects.filter(id=book_list.id).update(group=None)
+            book_list.update(group=None)
 
         return redirect(book_list.local_path)
 
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ class List(View):
             return redirect("list", book_list.id)
         book_list = form.save()
         if not book_list.curation == "group":
-            models.List.objects.filter(id=book_list.id).update(group=None)
+            book_list.update(group=None)
         return redirect(book_list.local_path)