diff --git a/server/federation/helpers.js b/server/federation/helpers.js
index 0e06c603..7fac235d 100644
--- a/server/federation/helpers.js
+++ b/server/federation/helpers.js
@@ -114,6 +114,10 @@ const Helpers = {
         }
         return res.data
       })
+      .catch(e => {
+        debug(e)
+        return false
+      })
 
     if (fedi_user) {
       fedi_user = await APUser.create({ ap_id: URL, object: fedi_user })