diff --git a/lib/pleroma/user.ex b/lib/pleroma/user.ex
index 75e173d0c..b1b935a0f 100644
--- a/lib/pleroma/user.ex
+++ b/lib/pleroma/user.ex
@@ -174,7 +174,7 @@ def maybe_direct_follow(%User{} = follower, %User{info: info} = followed) do
     should_direct_follow =
       cond do
         # if the account is locked, don't pre-create the relationship
-        user_info.locked == true ->
+        user_info["locked"] == true ->
           false
 
         # if the users are blocking each other, we shouldn't even be here, but check for it anyway