diff --git a/bookwyrm/remote_user.py b/bookwyrm/remote_user.py
index 9aa6079e..23a805b3 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/remote_user.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/remote_user.py
@@ -1,9 +1,7 @@
 ''' manage remote users '''
 from urllib.parse import urlparse
-from uuid import uuid4
 import requests
 
-from django.core.files.base import ContentFile
 from django.db import transaction
 
 from bookwyrm import activitypub, models
@@ -22,7 +20,7 @@ def get_or_create_remote_user(actor):
 
     actor_parts = urlparse(actor)
     with transaction.atomic():
-        user = create_remote_user(data)
+        user = activitypub.Person(**data).to_model(models.User)
         user.federated_server = get_or_create_remote_server(actor_parts.netloc)
         user.save()
     if user.bookwyrm_user:
@@ -50,12 +48,6 @@ def fetch_user_data(actor):
     return data
 
 
-def create_remote_user(data):
-    ''' parse the activitypub actor data into a user '''
-    actor = activitypub.Person(**data)
-    return actor.to_model(models.User)
-
-
 def refresh_remote_user(user):
     ''' get updated user data from its home instance '''
     data = fetch_user_data(user.remote_id)