diff --git a/bookwyrm/models/favorite.py b/bookwyrm/models/favorite.py
index 66befd80..de500e51 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/models/favorite.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/models/favorite.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ class Favorite(ActivityMixin, BookWyrmModel):
     @classmethod
     def ignore_activity(cls, activity):
         ''' don't bother with incoming favs of unknown statuses '''
-        return cls.objects.filter(remote_id=activity.object).exists()
+        return not cls.objects.filter(remote_id=activity.object).exists()
 
     def save(self, *args, **kwargs):
         ''' update user active time '''
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_inbox.py b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_inbox.py
index ff55ad04..b0bd3e42 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_inbox.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/views/test_inbox.py
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ class Inbox(TestCase):
             mock_valid.return_value = False
             result = self.client.post(
                 '/user/mouse/inbox',
-                '{"type": "Test", "object": "exists"}',
+                '{"type": "Announce", "object": "exists"}',
                 content_type="application/json"
             )
             self.assertEqual(result.status_code, 401)
@@ -494,6 +494,21 @@ class Inbox(TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(fav.remote_id, 'https://example.com/fav/1')
         self.assertEqual(fav.user, self.remote_user)
 
+    def test_ignore_favorite(self):
+        ''' don't try to save an unknown status '''
+        activity = {
+            '@context': 'https://www.w3.org/ns/activitystreams',
+            'id': 'https://example.com/fav/1',
+            'actor': 'https://example.com/users/rat',
+            'type': 'Like',
+            'published': 'Mon, 25 May 2020 19:31:20 GMT',
+            'object': 'https://unknown.status/not-found',
+        }
+
+        views.inbox.activity_task(activity)
+
+        self.assertFalse(models.Favorite.objects.exists())
+
     def test_handle_unfavorite(self):
         ''' fav a status '''
         activity = {