diff --git a/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/utils.ex b/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/utils.ex
index e2fc2640d..3413783e2 100644
--- a/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/utils.ex
+++ b/lib/pleroma/web/activity_pub/utils.ex
@@ -776,10 +776,9 @@ defp build_flag_object(act) when is_map(act) or is_binary(act) do
         build_flag_object(object)
 
       nil ->
-        if %Object{} = object = Object.get_by_ap_id(id) do
-          build_flag_object(object)
-        else
-          %{"id" => id, "deleted" => true}
+        case Object.get_by_ap_id(id) do
+          %Object{} = object -> build_flag_object(object)
+          _ -> %{"id" => id, "deleted" => true}
         end
     end
   end