diff --git a/bookwyrm/apps.py b/bookwyrm/apps.py
index af3b064e9..d494877d6 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/apps.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/apps.py
@@ -32,8 +32,11 @@ class BookwyrmConfig(AppConfig):
     name = "bookwyrm"
     verbose_name = "BookWyrm"
 
+    # pylint: disable=no-self-use
     def ready(self):
+        """set up OTLP and preview image files, if desired"""
         if settings.OTEL_EXPORTER_OTLP_ENDPOINT:
+            # pylint: disable=import-outside-toplevel
             from bookwyrm.telemetry import open_telemetry
 
             open_telemetry.instrumentDjango()