diff --git a/bookwyrm/activitypub/person.py b/bookwyrm/activitypub/person.py
index ed2ae80b2..4ab9f08e6 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/activitypub/person.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/activitypub/person.py
@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@ class Person(ActivityObject):
 
     preferredUsername: str
     inbox: str
-    followers: str
     publicKey: PublicKey
+    followers: str = None
     outbox: str = None
     endpoints: Dict = None
     name: str = None