diff --git a/bookwyrm/models/fields.py b/bookwyrm/models/fields.py
index 960be161..34f90103 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/models/fields.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/models/fields.py
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ class ActivitypubFieldMixin:
         if isinstance(activity.get(key), list):
             activity[key] += formatted
         else:
-            activity[key] = value
+            activity[key] = formatted
 
 
     def field_to_activity(self, value):