diff --git a/webapp_person_options.py b/webapp_person_options.py
index 7ad112e19..2646c5647 100644
--- a/webapp_person_options.py
+++ b/webapp_person_options.py
@@ -54,8 +54,8 @@ def _minimize_attached_images(base_dir: str, nickname: str, domain: str,
         return
     handle = following_nickname + '@' + following_domain
 
-    # check that you are following this handle
-    if not text_in_file(handle + '\n', following_filename):
+    # check that you are following this handle (not case sensitive)
+    if not text_in_file(handle + '\n', following_filename, False):
         print('WARN: ' + handle + ' is not in ' + following_filename)
         return
 
diff --git a/webapp_utils.py b/webapp_utils.py
index 377233fa6..7c9a4cb16 100644
--- a/webapp_utils.py
+++ b/webapp_utils.py
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ def minimizing_attached_images(base_dir: str, nickname: str, domain: str,
                 fp_min.write('')
         except OSError:
             print('EX: minimizing_attached_images 2 ' + minimize_filename)
-    return text_in_file(handle + '\n', minimize_filename)
+    return text_in_file(handle + '\n', minimize_filename, False)
 
 
 def get_broken_link_substitute() -> str: