diff --git a/bookwyrm/templates/snippets/create_status/content_field.html b/bookwyrm/templates/snippets/create_status/content_field.html
index 90337200..90746736 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/templates/snippets/create_status/content_field.html
+++ b/bookwyrm/templates/snippets/create_status/content_field.html
@@ -14,6 +14,6 @@ draft: an existing Status object that is providing default values for input fiel
     id="id_content_{{ type }}_{{ book.id }}{{ reply_parent.id }}"
     placeholder="{{ placeholder }}"
     aria-label="{% if reply_parent %}{% trans 'Reply' %}{% else %}{% trans 'Content' %}{% endif %}"
-    {% if not optional and type != "quotation" %}required{% endif %}
+    {% if not optional and type != "quotation" and type != "review" %}required{% endif %}
 >{% if reply_parent %}{{ reply_parent|mentions:request.user }}{% endif %}{% if mention %}@{{ mention|username }} {% endif %}{{ draft.content|default:'' }}</textarea>
 
diff --git a/bookwyrm/templates/snippets/create_status/review.html b/bookwyrm/templates/snippets/create_status/review.html
index be17b7f2..714055a1 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/templates/snippets/create_status/review.html
+++ b/bookwyrm/templates/snippets/create_status/review.html
@@ -11,8 +11,6 @@ draft: the content of an existing Status object to be edited (used in delete and
 uuid: a unique identifier used to make html "id" attributes unique and clarify javascript controls
 {% endcomment %}
 
-{% with type="review" %}
-
 {% block pre_content_additions %}
     <div class="field">
         <label class="label" for="id_name_{{ book.id }}">{% trans "Title:" %}</label>
@@ -31,5 +29,3 @@ uuid: a unique identifier used to make html "id" attributes unique and clarify j
 {% block content_label %}
     {% trans "Review:" %}
 {% endblock %}
-
-{% endwith %}