diff --git a/inbox.py b/inbox.py
index 24de733da..97b54e28a 100644
--- a/inbox.py
+++ b/inbox.py
@@ -3355,7 +3355,11 @@ def json_post_allows_comments(post_json_object: {}) -> bool:
     if 'capabilities' in post_json_object:
         if isinstance(post_json_object['capabilities'], dict):
             if 'reply' in post_json_object['capabilities']:
-                reply_control = post_json_object['capabilities']['reply']
+                if isinstance(post_json_object['capabilities']['reply'], str):
+                    reply_control = post_json_object['capabilities']['reply']
+            else:
+                # capabilities exist but there is no reply field
+                reply_control = 'noreply'
     obj_dict_exists = False
     if has_object_dict(post_json_object):
         obj_dict_exists = True
@@ -3365,9 +3369,15 @@ def json_post_allows_comments(post_json_object: {}) -> bool:
         if 'capabilities' in post_obj:
             if isinstance(post_obj['capabilities'], dict):
                 if 'reply' in post_obj['capabilities']:
-                    reply_control = post_obj['capabilities']['reply']
+                    if isinstance(post_obj['capabilities']['reply'], str):
+                        reply_control = post_obj['capabilities']['reply']
+                else:
+                    # capabilities exist but there is no reply field
+                    reply_control = 'noreply'
     if reply_control:
         if isinstance(reply_control, str):
+            if reply_control == 'noreply':
+                return False
             if not reply_control.endswith('#Public'):
                 # TODO handle non-public reply permissions
                 print('CAPABILITIES: replies ' + str(reply_control))
diff --git a/utils.py b/utils.py
index cbcd257cd..2d472f911 100644
--- a/utils.py
+++ b/utils.py
@@ -4237,12 +4237,16 @@ def disallow_announce(content: str, attachment: [], capabilities: {}) -> bool:
     """Are announces/boosts not allowed for the given post?
     """
     # pixelfed style capabilities
-    if capabilities.get('announce'):
-        if isinstance(capabilities['announce'], str):
-            if not capabilities['announce'].endswith('#Public'):
-                # TODO handle non-public announce permissions
-                print('CAPABILITIES: announce ' + capabilities['announce'])
-                return True
+    if capabilities:
+        if 'announce' in capabilities:
+            if isinstance(capabilities['announce'], str):
+                if not capabilities['announce'].endswith('#Public'):
+                    # TODO handle non-public announce permissions
+                    print('CAPABILITIES: announce ' + capabilities['announce'])
+                    return True
+        else:
+            # capabilities exist but with no announce defined
+            return True
 
     # emojis
     disallow_strings = (