diff --git a/bookwyrm/models/tag.py b/bookwyrm/models/tag.py
index cb12d382..6e0ba8ab 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/models/tag.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/models/tag.py
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ class UserTag(BookWyrmModel):
             id='%s#remove' % self.remote_id,
             actor=user.remote_id,
             object=self.book.to_activity(),
-            target=self.to_activity(),
+            target=self.remote_id,
         ).serialize()
 
 
diff --git a/bookwyrm/outgoing.py b/bookwyrm/outgoing.py
index 38dff400..a01d8cfe 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/outgoing.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/outgoing.py
@@ -283,16 +283,6 @@ def to_markdown(content):
     return sanitizer.get_output()
 
 
-def handle_untag(user, book, name):
-    ''' tag a book '''
-    book = models.Book.objects.get(id=book)
-    tag = models.Tag.objects.get(name=name, book=book, user=user)
-    tag_activity = tag.to_remove_activity(user)
-    tag.delete()
-
-    broadcast(user, tag_activity)
-
-
 def handle_favorite(user, status):
     ''' a user likes a status '''
     try:
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/test_view_actions.py b/bookwyrm/tests/test_view_actions.py
index 98a57985..b5ed6751 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/test_view_actions.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/test_view_actions.py
@@ -374,3 +374,23 @@ class ViewActions(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(tag.identifier, 'A+Tag%21%3F')
         self.assertEqual(user_tag.user, self.local_user)
         self.assertEqual(user_tag.book, self.book)
+
+
+    def test_untag(self):
+        ''' remove a tag from a book '''
+        tag = models.Tag.objects.create(name='A Tag!?')
+        user_tag = models.UserTag.objects.create(
+            user=self.local_user, book=self.book, tag=tag)
+        request = self.factory.post(
+            '', {
+                'user': self.local_user.id,
+                'book': self.book.id,
+                'name': tag.name,
+            })
+        request.user = self.local_user
+
+        with patch('bookwyrm.broadcast.broadcast_task.delay'):
+            actions.untag(request)
+
+        self.assertTrue(models.Tag.objects.filter(name='A Tag!?').exists())
+        self.assertFalse(models.UserTag.objects.exists())
diff --git a/bookwyrm/view_actions.py b/bookwyrm/view_actions.py
index ca632ef9..a8f85c02 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/view_actions.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/view_actions.py
@@ -593,9 +593,16 @@ def tag(request):
 def untag(request):
     ''' untag a book '''
     name = request.POST.get('name')
+    tag = get_object_or_404(models.Tag, name=name)
     book_id = request.POST.get('book')
+    book = get_object_or_404(models.Edition, id=book_id)
 
-    outgoing.handle_untag(request.user, book_id, name)
+    tag = get_object_or_404(
+        models.UserTag, tag=tag, book=book, user=request.user)
+    tag_activity = tag.to_remove_activity(request.user)
+    tag.delete()
+
+    broadcast(request.user, tag_activity)
     return redirect('/book/%s' % book_id)