diff --git a/bookwyrm/templates/snippets/status/content_status.html b/bookwyrm/templates/snippets/status/content_status.html
index 44c52c83..5021ee06 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/templates/snippets/status/content_status.html
+++ b/bookwyrm/templates/snippets/status/content_status.html
@@ -15,11 +15,13 @@
     <div class="columns">
         {% if not hide_book %}
         {% with book=status.book|default:status.mention_books.first %}
+        {% if book %}
         <div class="column is-narrow is-hidden-mobile">
             <a href="{{ book.local_path }}">{% include 'snippets/book_cover.html' with book=book %}</a>
             {% include 'snippets/stars.html' with rating=book|rating:request.user %}
             {% include 'snippets/shelve_button/shelve_button.html' with book=book %}
         </div>
+        {% endif %}
         {% endwith %}
         {% endif %}