diff --git a/inbox.py b/inbox.py
index ba5a86e6b..b6ca4c3cc 100644
--- a/inbox.py
+++ b/inbox.py
@@ -3301,15 +3301,16 @@ def _inbox_after_initial(recent_posts_cache: {}, max_recent_posts: int,
     """
     # if this is a clearnet instance then replace any onion/i2p
     # domains with the account domain
-    message_str = json.dumps(message_json, ensure_ascii=False)
-    if onion_domain:
-        if onion_domain in message_str:
-            message_str = message_str.replace(onion_domain, domain)
-            message_json = json.loads(message_str)
-    if i2p_domain:
-        if i2p_domain in message_str:
-            message_str = message_str.replace(i2p_domain, domain)
-            message_json = json.loads(message_str)
+    if onion_domain or i2p_domain:
+        message_str = json.dumps(message_json, ensure_ascii=False)
+        if onion_domain:
+            if onion_domain in message_str:
+                message_str = message_str.replace(onion_domain, domain)
+                message_json = json.loads(message_str)
+        if i2p_domain:
+            if i2p_domain in message_str:
+                message_str = message_str.replace(i2p_domain, domain)
+                message_json = json.loads(message_str)
 
     actor = key_id
     if '#' in actor: