diff --git a/follow.py b/follow.py
index f717e77a..f641e916 100644
--- a/follow.py
+++ b/follow.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ __status__ = "Production"
 
 from pprint import pprint
 import os
-from utils import getFollowersOfPerson
+from utils import getFollowersList
 from utils import validNickname
 from utils import domainPermitted
 from utils import getDomainFromActor
@@ -118,9 +118,9 @@ def getMutualsOfPerson(baseDir: str,
     i.e. accounts which they follow and which also follow back
     """
     followers = \
-        getFollowersOfPerson(baseDir, nickname, domain, 'followers.txt')
+        getFollowersList(baseDir, nickname, domain, 'followers.txt')
     following = \
-        getFollowersOfPerson(baseDir, nickname, domain, 'following.txt')
+        getFollowersList(baseDir, nickname, domain, 'following.txt')
     mutuals = []
     for handle in following:
         if handle in followers:
diff --git a/posts.py b/posts.py
index 32709891..3044d015 100644
--- a/posts.py
+++ b/posts.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ from session import postJsonString
 from session import postImage
 from webfinger import webfingerHandle
 from httpsig import createSignedHeader
-from utils import getFollowersOfPerson
+from utils import getFollowersList
 from utils import isEvil
 from utils import removeIdEnding
 from utils import siteIsActive
@@ -3338,9 +3338,9 @@ def getNonMutualsOfPerson(baseDir: str,
     i.e. accounts which follow you but you don't follow them
     """
     followers = \
-        getFollowersOfPerson(baseDir, nickname, domain, 'followers.txt')
+        getFollowersList(baseDir, nickname, domain, 'followers.txt')
     following = \
-        getFollowersOfPerson(baseDir, nickname, domain, 'following.txt')
+        getFollowersList(baseDir, nickname, domain, 'following.txt')
     nonMutuals = []
     for handle in following:
         if handle not in followers:
diff --git a/utils.py b/utils.py
index 2be770b0..014c5bc2 100644
--- a/utils.py
+++ b/utils.py
@@ -19,6 +19,25 @@ from calendar import monthrange
 from followingCalendar import addPersonToCalendar
 
 
+def getFollowersList(baseDir: str,
+                     nickname: str, domain: str,
+                     followFile='following.txt') -> []:
+    """Returns a list of followers for the given account
+    """
+    filename = \
+        baseDir + '/accounts/' + nickname + '@' + domain + '/' + followFile
+
+    if not os.path.isfile(filename):
+        return []
+
+    with open(filename, "r") as f:
+        lines = f.readlines()
+        for i in range(len(lines)):
+            lines[i] = lines[i].strip()
+        return lines
+    return []
+
+
 def getFollowersOfPerson(baseDir: str,
                          nickname: str, domain: str,
                          followFile='following.txt') -> []: