diff --git a/bookwyrm/activitypub/base_activity.py b/bookwyrm/activitypub/base_activity.py
index 5e66077c..fa153569 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/activitypub/base_activity.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/activitypub/base_activity.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """ basics for an activitypub serializer """
 from dataclasses import dataclass, fields, MISSING
 from json import JSONEncoder
+import logging
 
 from django.apps import apps
 from django.db import IntegrityError, transaction
@@ -8,6 +9,8 @@ from django.db import IntegrityError, transaction
 from bookwyrm.connectors import ConnectorException, get_data
 from bookwyrm.tasks import app
 
+logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
 
 class ActivitySerializerError(ValueError):
     """routine problems serializing activitypub json"""
@@ -268,9 +271,9 @@ def resolve_remote_id(
     try:
         data = get_data(remote_id)
     except ConnectorException:
-        raise ActivitySerializerError(
-            f"Could not connect to host for remote_id: {remote_id}"
-        )
+        logger.exception("Could not connect to host for remote_id: %s", remote_id)
+        return None
+
     # determine the model implicitly, if not provided
     # or if it's a model with subclasses like Status, check again
     if not model or hasattr(model.objects, "select_subclasses"):
diff --git a/bookwyrm/models/status.py b/bookwyrm/models/status.py
index b933edce..1e31de77 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/models/status.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/models/status.py
@@ -116,11 +116,8 @@ class Status(OrderedCollectionPageMixin, BookWyrmModel):
     def ignore_activity(cls, activity):  # pylint: disable=too-many-return-statements
         """keep notes if they are replies to existing statuses"""
         if activity.type == "Announce":
-            try:
-                boosted = activitypub.resolve_remote_id(
-                    activity.object, get_activity=True
-                )
-            except activitypub.ActivitySerializerError:
+            boosted = activitypub.resolve_remote_id(activity.object, get_activity=True)
+            if not boosted:
                 # if we can't load the status, definitely ignore it
                 return True
             # keep the boost if we would keep the status
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_status_model.py b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_status_model.py
index 837cd41d..2f1e8670 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_status_model.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_status_model.py
@@ -462,6 +462,8 @@ class Status(TestCase):
     @responses.activate
     def test_ignore_activity_boost(self, *_):
         """don't bother with most remote statuses"""
+        responses.add(responses.GET, "http://fish.com/nothing")
+
         activity = activitypub.Announce(
             id="http://www.faraway.com/boost/12",
             actor=self.remote_user.remote_id,