diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/reading.py b/bookwyrm/views/reading.py
index 02ee0a189..012f151a6 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/reading.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/reading.py
@@ -167,6 +167,8 @@ def edit_readthrough(request):
     # use default now for date field
     readthrough.create_update()
 
+    if is_api_request(request):
+        return HttpResponse()
     return redirect(request.headers.get("Referer", "/"))
 
 
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/status.py b/bookwyrm/views/status.py
index 3292bfa72..58d31aaa2 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/status.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/status.py
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ class DeleteAndRedraft(View):
 
 @login_required
 @require_POST
-def update_progress(request, book_id):
+def update_progress(request, book_id):  # pylint: disable=unused-argument
     """Either it's just a progress update, or it's a comment with a progress update"""
     if request.POST.get("post-status"):
         return CreateStatus.as_view()(request, "comment")