diff --git a/bookwyrm/activitypub/base_activity.py b/bookwyrm/activitypub/base_activity.py
index 452f61e0..3d922b47 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/activitypub/base_activity.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/activitypub/base_activity.py
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ class ActivityObject:
             and hasattr(model, "ignore_activity")
             and model.ignore_activity(self)
         ):
-            raise ActivitySerializerError()
+            return None
 
         # check for an existing instance
         instance = instance or model.find_existing(self.serialize())
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/inbox/test_inbox_announce.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/inbox/test_inbox_announce.py
index a730045a..95b70b5c 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/inbox/test_inbox_announce.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/inbox/test_inbox_announce.py
@@ -136,6 +136,9 @@ class InboxActivities(TestCase):
             "id": "http://www.faraway.com/boost/12",
             "actor": self.remote_user.remote_id,
             "object": status.remote_id,
+            "to": ["https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams#public"],
+            "cc": ["https://example.com/user/mouse/followers"],
+            "published": "Mon, 25 May 2020 19:31:20 GMT",
         }
         responses.add(
             responses.GET, status.remote_id, json=status.to_activity(), status=200