diff --git a/bookwyrm/models/activitypub_mixin.py b/bookwyrm/models/activitypub_mixin.py
index 55e4971e..de440e42 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/models/activitypub_mixin.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/models/activitypub_mixin.py
@@ -121,10 +121,11 @@ class ActivitypubMixin:
             # or maybe the thing itself is a user
             user = self
         # find anyone who's tagged in a status, for example
-        mentions = self.mention_users if hasattr(self, 'mention_users') else []
+        mentions = self.mention_users.all() if \
+            hasattr(self, 'mention_users') else []
 
         # we always send activities to explicitly mentioned users' inboxes
-        recipients = [u.inbox for u in mentions.all() or []]
+        recipients = [u.inbox for u in mentions or []]
 
         # unless it's a dm, all the followers should receive the activity
         if privacy != 'direct':
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_activitypub_mixin.py b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_activitypub_mixin.py
index 36e1fcad..ba6c1489 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_activitypub_mixin.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_activitypub_mixin.py
@@ -88,6 +88,14 @@ class ActivitypubMixins(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(result, book)
 
 
+    def test_get_recipients(self):
+        ''' determines the recipients for a broadcast '''
+        MockSelf = namedtuple('Self', ('privacy'))
+        mock_self = MockSelf('public')
+        ActivitypubMixin.get_recipients(mock_self)
+        
+
+
     # ObjectMixin
     def test_to_create_activity(self):
         ''' wrapper for ActivityPub "create" action '''