diff --git a/bookwyrm/templates/ostatus/error.html b/bookwyrm/templates/ostatus/error.html
index 91bb6a0a..8a047172 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/templates/ostatus/error.html
+++ b/bookwyrm/templates/ostatus/error.html
@@ -42,6 +42,10 @@
     <div class="notification is-danger has-text-centered">
         <p>{% blocktrans %}You have blocked <strong>{{ account }}</strong>{% endblocktrans %}</p>
     </div>
+    {% elif error == 'has_blocked' %}
+    <div class="notification is-danger has-text-centered">
+        <p>{% blocktrans %}<strong>{{ account }}</strong> has blocked you{% endblocktrans %}</p>
+    </div>
     {% elif error == 'already_following' %}
     <div class="notification is-success has-text-centered">
         <p>{% blocktrans %}You are already following <strong>{{ account }}</strong>{% endblocktrans %}</p>
diff --git a/bookwyrm/views/follow.py b/bookwyrm/views/follow.py
index 1555fc5e..83b90035 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/views/follow.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/views/follow.py
@@ -109,17 +109,33 @@ def ostatus_follow_request(request):
     if user is None or user == "":
         error = "ostatus_subscribe"
 
-    if hasattr(request.user, "blocks") and user in request.user.blocks.all():
-        error = "is_blocked"
+    # don't do these checks for AnonymousUser before they sign in
+    if request.user.id:
 
-    if hasattr(user, "followers") and request.user in user.followers.all():
-        error = "already_following"
-
-    if (
-        hasattr(user, "follower_requests")
-        and request.user in user.follower_requests.all()
-    ):
-        error = "already_requested"
+        # you have blocked them so you probably don't want to follow
+        if (
+            hasattr(request.user, "blocks") 
+            and user in request.user.blocks.all()
+        ):
+            error = "is_blocked"
+        # they have blocked you
+        if (
+            hasattr(user, "blocks") 
+            and request.user in user.blocks.all()
+        ):
+            error = "has_blocked"
+        # you're already following them
+        if (
+            hasattr(user, "followers")
+            and request.user in user.followers.all()
+        ):
+            error = "already_following"
+        # you're not following yet but you already asked
+        if (
+            hasattr(user, "follower_requests")
+            and request.user in user.follower_requests.all()
+        ):
+            error = "already_requested"
 
     data = {"account": account, "user": user, "error": error}