diff --git a/bookwyrm/templates/user/relationships/followers.html b/bookwyrm/templates/user/relationships/followers.html
index 223f38c7..c7d6833b 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/templates/user/relationships/followers.html
+++ b/bookwyrm/templates/user/relationships/followers.html
@@ -9,6 +9,6 @@
 
 {% block nullstate %}
 <div>
-    {% blocktrans with username=user.display_name %}{{ username }} has no followers{% endblocktrans %}
+    <em>{% blocktrans with username=user.display_name %}{{ username }} has no followers{% endblocktrans %}</em>
 </div>
 {% endblock %}
diff --git a/bookwyrm/templates/user/relationships/following.html b/bookwyrm/templates/user/relationships/following.html
index 475d40ab..3952d045 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/templates/user/relationships/following.html
+++ b/bookwyrm/templates/user/relationships/following.html
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 
 {% block nullstate %}
 <div>
-    {% blocktrans with username=user.display_name %}{{ username }} isn't following any users{% endblocktrans %}
+    <em>{% blocktrans with username=user.display_name %}{{ username }} isn't following any users{% endblocktrans %}</em>
 </div>
 {% endblock %}