diff --git a/bookwyrm/activitypub/note.py b/bookwyrm/activitypub/note.py
index 357e164f..ebc0cf3c 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/activitypub/note.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/activitypub/note.py
@@ -20,11 +20,11 @@ class Note(ActivityObject):
     inReplyTo: str
     published: str
     attributedTo: str
-    tag: List[Link]
     to: List[str]
     cc: List[str]
     content: str
     replies: Dict
+    tag: List[Link] = field(default=lambda: [])
     attachment: List[Image] = field(default=lambda: [])
     sensitive: bool = False
     type: str = 'Note'