diff --git a/bookwyrm/models/base_model.py b/bookwyrm/models/base_model.py
index b781a5064..976551188 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/models/base_model.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/models/base_model.py
@@ -67,9 +67,9 @@ class BookWyrmModel(models.Model):
             return
 
         # you can see the followers only posts of people you follow
-        if (
-            self.privacy == "followers"
-            and self.user.followers.filter(id=viewer.id).first()
+        if self.privacy == "followers" and (
+            self.user.followers.filter(id=viewer.id).first()
+            or self.mention_users.filter(id=viewer.id)
         ):
             return