diff --git a/bookwyrm/activitystreams.py b/bookwyrm/activitystreams.py
index f2dd43fb..a90d7943 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/activitystreams.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/activitystreams.py
@@ -298,8 +298,9 @@ def add_status_on_create_command(sender, instance, created):
     priority = HIGH
     # check if this is an old status, de-prioritize if so
     # (this will happen if federation is very slow, or, more expectedly, on csv import)
-    one_day = 60 * 60 * 24
-    if (instance.created_date - instance.published_date).seconds > one_day:
+    if instance.published_date < timezone.now() - timedelta(
+        days=1
+    ) or instance.created_date < instance.published_date - timedelta(days=1):
         priority = LOW
 
     add_status_task.apply_async(