diff --git a/bookwyrm/activitypub/base_activity.py b/bookwyrm/activitypub/base_activity.py
index f1b3ad18..fcc4eccd 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/activitypub/base_activity.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/activitypub/base_activity.py
@@ -297,7 +297,7 @@ class Link(ActivityObject):
     """for tagging a book in a status"""
 
     href: str
-    name: str
+    name: str = None
     mediaType: str = None
     id: str = None
     type: str = "Link"