diff --git a/follow.py b/follow.py
index 9fa0b70f3..0d632184f 100644
--- a/follow.py
+++ b/follow.py
@@ -582,7 +582,7 @@ def follow_approval_required(base_dir: str, nickname_to_follow: str,
     if os.path.isfile(actor_filename):
         actor = load_json(actor_filename)
         if actor:
-            if actor.get('manually_approves_followers'):
+            if 'manuallyApprovesFollowers' in actor:
                 manually_approve_follows = actor['manuallyApprovesFollowers']
             else:
                 if debug:
@@ -757,8 +757,7 @@ def followed_account_accepts(session, base_dir: str, http_prefix: str,
         # remove the follow request json
         follow_activity_filename = \
             acct_dir(base_dir, nickname_to_follow, domain_to_follow) + \
-            '/requests/' + \
-            nickname + '@' + domain + '.follow'
+            '/requests/' + nickname + '@' + domain + '.follow'
         if os.path.isfile(follow_activity_filename):
             try:
                 os.remove(follow_activity_filename)
@@ -1454,7 +1453,7 @@ def follower_approval_active(base_dir: str,
     if os.path.isfile(actor_filename):
         actor_json = load_json(actor_filename)
         if actor_json:
-            if actor_json.get('manuallyApprovesFollowers'):
+            if 'manuallyApprovesFollowers' in actor_json:
                 manually_approves_followers = \
                     actor_json['manuallyApprovesFollowers']
     return manually_approves_followers