diff --git a/inbox.py b/inbox.py
index 10158c773..57f5cc8bf 100644
--- a/inbox.py
+++ b/inbox.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import datetime
 import time
 import random
 from linked_data_sig import verifyJsonSignature
+from utils import understoodPostLanguage
 from utils import getContentFromPost
 from utils import acctDir
 from utils import removeDomainPort
@@ -67,7 +68,6 @@ from utils import undoAnnounceCollectionEntry
 from utils import dangerousMarkup
 from utils import isDM
 from utils import isReply
-from utils import getActorLanguagesList
 from httpsig import messageContentDigest
 from posts import createDirectMessagePost
 from posts import validContentWarning
@@ -1597,33 +1597,6 @@ def _estimateNumberOfEmoji(content: str) -> int:
     return int(content.count(':') / 2)
 
 
-def _understoodPostLanguage(baseDir: str, nickname: str, domain: str,
-                            messageJson: {}, systemLanguage: str) -> bool:
-    """Returns true if the post is written in a language
-    understood by this account
-    """
-    if not messageJson['object'].get('contentMap'):
-        return True
-    if not isinstance(messageJson['object']['contentMap'], dict):
-        return True
-    if messageJson['object']['contentMap'].get(systemLanguage):
-        return True
-    actorFilename = acctDir(baseDir, nickname, domain)
-    if not os.path.isfile(actorFilename):
-        return False
-    actorJson = loadJson(actorFilename)
-    if not actorJson:
-        print('WARN: unable to load actor to check languages ' + actorFilename)
-        return False
-    languagesUnderstood = getActorLanguagesList(actorJson)
-    if not languagesUnderstood:
-        return True
-    for lang in languagesUnderstood:
-        if messageJson['object']['contentMap'].get(lang):
-            return True
-    return False
-
-
 def _validPostContent(baseDir: str, nickname: str, domain: str,
                       messageJson: {}, maxMentions: int, maxEmoji: int,
                       allowLocalNetworkAccess: bool, debug: bool,
@@ -1696,8 +1669,8 @@ def _validPostContent(baseDir: str, nickname: str, domain: str,
                       messageJson['object']['tag'])
                 return False
     # check that the post is in a language suitable for this account
-    if not _understoodPostLanguage(baseDir, nickname, domain,
-                                   messageJson, systemLanguage):
+    if not understoodPostLanguage(baseDir, nickname, domain,
+                                  messageJson, systemLanguage):
         return False
     # check for filtered content
     if isFiltered(baseDir, nickname, domain, contentStr):
diff --git a/posts.py b/posts.py
index 79cf3a3f7..ea7fed9f1 100644
--- a/posts.py
+++ b/posts.py
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ from session import postImage
 from webfinger import webfingerHandle
 from httpsig import createSignedHeader
 from siteactive import siteIsActive
+from utils import understoodPostLanguage
 from utils import getContentFromPost
 from utils import removeDomainPort
 from utils import getPortFromDomain
@@ -4027,7 +4028,9 @@ def downloadAnnounce(session, baseDir: str, httpPrefix: str,
                             baseDir, nickname, domain, postId,
                             recentPostsCache)
             return None
-
+        if not understoodPostLanguage(baseDir, nickname, domain,
+                                      announcedJson, systemLanguage):
+            return None
         # Check the content of the announce
         contentStr = announcedJson['content']
         if dangerousMarkup(contentStr, allowLocalNetworkAccess):
diff --git a/utils.py b/utils.py
index fc567e6a3..bf33bc2fa 100644
--- a/utils.py
+++ b/utils.py
@@ -2564,7 +2564,7 @@ def validUrlPrefix(url: str) -> bool:
     return False
 
 
-def getActorLanguagesList(actorJson: {}) -> []:
+def _getActorLanguagesList(actorJson: {}) -> []:
     """Returns a list containing languages used by the given actor
     """
     if not actorJson.get('attachment'):
@@ -2589,7 +2589,7 @@ def getActorLanguagesList(actorJson: {}) -> []:
 def getActorLanguages(actorJson: {}) -> str:
     """Returns a string containing languages used by the given actor
     """
-    langList = getActorLanguagesList(actorJson)
+    langList = _getActorLanguagesList(actorJson)
     if not langList:
         return ''
     languagesStr = ''
@@ -2640,3 +2640,34 @@ def setActorLanguages(baseDir: str, actorJson: {}, languagesStr: str) -> None:
         "value": langList2
     }
     actorJson['attachment'].append(newLanguages)
+
+
+def understoodPostLanguage(baseDir: str, nickname: str, domain: str,
+                           messageJson: {}, systemLanguage: str) -> bool:
+    """Returns true if the post is written in a language
+    understood by this account
+    """
+    msgObject = messageJson
+    if msgObject.get('object'):
+        if isinstance(msgObject['object'], dict):
+            msgObject = messageJson['object']
+    if not msgObject.get('contentMap'):
+        return True
+    if not isinstance(msgObject['contentMap'], dict):
+        return True
+    if msgObject['contentMap'].get(systemLanguage):
+        return True
+    actorFilename = acctDir(baseDir, nickname, domain)
+    if not os.path.isfile(actorFilename):
+        return False
+    actorJson = loadJson(actorFilename)
+    if not actorJson:
+        print('WARN: unable to load actor to check languages ' + actorFilename)
+        return False
+    languagesUnderstood = _getActorLanguagesList(actorJson)
+    if not languagesUnderstood:
+        return True
+    for lang in languagesUnderstood:
+        if msgObject['contentMap'].get(lang):
+            return True
+    return False