diff --git a/packages/backend/src/core/activitypub/ApInboxService.ts b/packages/backend/src/core/activitypub/ApInboxService.ts
index b0bf2e983..7db9ec503 100644
--- a/packages/backend/src/core/activitypub/ApInboxService.ts
+++ b/packages/backend/src/core/activitypub/ApInboxService.ts
@@ -547,7 +547,7 @@ export class ApInboxService {
 			const note = await this.apDbResolverService.getNoteFromApId(uri);
 
 			if (note == null) {
-				return 'message not found';
+				return 'skip: ignoring deleted note on both ends';
 			}
 
 			if (note.userId !== actor.id) {