diff --git a/bookwyrm/activitystreams.py b/bookwyrm/activitystreams.py
index 1feb495b..f843641f 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/activitystreams.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/activitystreams.py
@@ -480,12 +480,14 @@ def handle_boost_task(boost_id):
     instance = models.Status.objects.get(id=boost_id)
     boosted = instance.boost.boosted_status
 
+    # previous boosts of this status
     old_versions = models.Boost.objects.filter(
         boosted_status__id=boosted.id,
         created_date__lt=instance.created_date,
     )
 
     for stream in streams.values():
+        # people who should see the boost (not people who see the original status)
         audience = stream.get_stores_for_object(instance)
         stream.remove_object_from_related_stores(boosted, stores=audience)
         for status in old_versions:
diff --git a/bookwyrm/redis_store.py b/bookwyrm/redis_store.py
index 521e73b2..78f373a2 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/redis_store.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/redis_store.py
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ class RedisStore(ABC):
 
     def remove_object_from_related_stores(self, obj, stores=None):
         """remove an object from all stores"""
-        stores = stores or self.get_stores_for_object(obj)
+        stores = self.get_stores_for_object(obj) if stores is None else stores
         pipeline = r.pipeline()
         for store in stores:
             pipeline.zrem(store, -1, obj.id)
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/activitystreams/test_tasks.py b/bookwyrm/tests/activitystreams/test_tasks.py
index f4c85e1b..80b0b771 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/activitystreams/test_tasks.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/activitystreams/test_tasks.py
@@ -22,6 +22,16 @@ class Activitystreams(TestCase):
                 local=True,
                 localname="nutria",
             )
+        with patch("bookwyrm.models.user.set_remote_server.delay"):
+            self.remote_user = models.User.objects.create_user(
+                "rat",
+                "rat@rat.com",
+                "ratword",
+                local=False,
+                remote_id="https://example.com/users/rat",
+                inbox="https://example.com/users/rat/inbox",
+                outbox="https://example.com/users/rat/outbox",
+            )
         work = models.Work.objects.create(title="test work")
         self.book = models.Edition.objects.create(title="test book", parent_work=work)
         with patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay"):
@@ -125,7 +135,7 @@ class Activitystreams(TestCase):
     @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.BooksStream.remove_object_from_related_stores")
     @patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay")
     def test_boost_to_another_timeline(self, *_):
-        """add a boost and deduplicate the boosted status on the timeline"""
+        """boost from a non-follower doesn't remove original status from feed"""
         status = models.Status.objects.create(user=self.local_user, content="hi")
         with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.handle_boost_task.delay"):
             boost = models.Boost.objects.create(
@@ -138,11 +148,32 @@ class Activitystreams(TestCase):
             activitystreams.handle_boost_task(boost.id)
 
         self.assertTrue(mock.called)
+        self.assertEqual(mock.call_count, 1)
         call_args = mock.call_args
         self.assertEqual(call_args[0][0], status)
-        self.assertEqual(
-            call_args[1]["stores"], ["{:d}-home".format(self.another_user.id)]
-        )
+        self.assertEqual(call_args[1]["stores"], [f"{self.another_user.id}-home"])
+
+    @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.LocalStream.remove_object_from_related_stores")
+    @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.BooksStream.remove_object_from_related_stores")
+    @patch("bookwyrm.models.activitypub_mixin.broadcast_task.delay")
+    def test_boost_to_another_timeline_remote(self, *_):
+        """boost from a remote non-follower doesn't remove original status from feed"""
+        status = models.Status.objects.create(user=self.local_user, content="hi")
+        with patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.handle_boost_task.delay"):
+            boost = models.Boost.objects.create(
+                boosted_status=status,
+                user=self.remote_user,
+            )
+        with patch(
+            "bookwyrm.activitystreams.HomeStream.remove_object_from_related_stores"
+        ) as mock:
+            activitystreams.handle_boost_task(boost.id)
+
+        self.assertTrue(mock.called)
+        self.assertEqual(mock.call_count, 1)
+        call_args = mock.call_args
+        self.assertEqual(call_args[0][0], status)
+        self.assertEqual(call_args[1]["stores"], [])
 
     @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.LocalStream.remove_object_from_related_stores")
     @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.BooksStream.remove_object_from_related_stores")
@@ -163,12 +194,8 @@ class Activitystreams(TestCase):
         self.assertTrue(mock.called)
         call_args = mock.call_args
         self.assertEqual(call_args[0][0], status)
-        self.assertTrue(
-            "{:d}-home".format(self.another_user.id) in call_args[1]["stores"]
-        )
-        self.assertTrue(
-            "{:d}-home".format(self.local_user.id) in call_args[1]["stores"]
-        )
+        self.assertTrue(f"{self.another_user.id}-home" in call_args[1]["stores"])
+        self.assertTrue(f"{self.local_user.id}-home" in call_args[1]["stores"])
 
     @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.LocalStream.remove_object_from_related_stores")
     @patch("bookwyrm.activitystreams.BooksStream.remove_object_from_related_stores")
@@ -188,6 +215,4 @@ class Activitystreams(TestCase):
         self.assertTrue(mock.called)
         call_args = mock.call_args
         self.assertEqual(call_args[0][0], status)
-        self.assertEqual(
-            call_args[1]["stores"], ["{:d}-home".format(self.local_user.id)]
-        )
+        self.assertEqual(call_args[1]["stores"], [f"{self.local_user.id}-home"])