diff --git a/mod/follow.php b/mod/follow.php
index ac07d040cc..885730f07c 100644
--- a/mod/follow.php
+++ b/mod/follow.php
@@ -108,7 +108,13 @@ function follow_content(App $a)
 	}
 
 	$contact = Contact::getByURL($url, true);
+
+	// Possibly it is a mail contact
 	if (empty($contact)) {
+		$contact = Probe::uri($url, Protocol::MAIL, $uid);
+	}
+
+	if (empty($contact) || ($contact['network'] == Protocol::PHANTOM)) {
 		// Possibly it is a remote item and not an account
 		follow_remote_item($url);