diff --git a/bookwyrm/models/base_model.py b/bookwyrm/models/base_model.py
index 1e147b5e0..fd70fc17f 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/models/base_model.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/models/base_model.py
@@ -167,12 +167,7 @@ class BookWyrmModel(models.Model):
     @classmethod
     def direct_filter(cls, queryset, viewer):
         """Override-able filter for "direct" privacy level"""
-        try:
-            return queryset.exclude(
-                ~Q(Q(user=viewer) | Q(mention_users=viewer)), privacy="direct"
-            )
-        except FieldError:
-            return queryset.exclude(~Q(user=viewer), privacy="direct")
+        return queryset.exclude(~Q(user=viewer), privacy="direct")
 
 
 @receiver(models.signals.post_save)
diff --git a/bookwyrm/models/status.py b/bookwyrm/models/status.py
index 58488123e..3e5f638f5 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/models/status.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/models/status.py
@@ -207,6 +207,13 @@ class Status(OrderedCollectionPageMixin, BookWyrmModel):
         if isinstance(self, (GeneratedNote, ReviewRating)):
             raise PermissionDenied()
 
+    @classmethod
+    def direct_filter(cls, queryset, viewer):
+        """Override-able filter for "direct" privacy level"""
+        return queryset.exclude(
+            ~Q(Q(user=viewer) | Q(mention_users=viewer)), privacy="direct"
+        )
+
 
 class GeneratedNote(Status):
     """these are app-generated messages about user activity"""