diff --git a/src/Model/APContact.php b/src/Model/APContact.php
index 64f45a8451..1ae34a40a8 100644
--- a/src/Model/APContact.php
+++ b/src/Model/APContact.php
@@ -266,6 +266,11 @@ class APContact
 		if (!empty($apcontact['following'])) {
 			$following = ActivityPub::fetchContent($apcontact['following']);
 			if (!empty($following['totalItems'])) {
+				// Mastodon seriously allows for this condition? 
+				// Jul 14 2021 - See https://mastodon.social/@BLUW for a negative following count
+				if ($following['totalItems'] < 0) {
+					$following['totalItems'] = 0;
+				}
 				$apcontact['following_count'] = $following['totalItems'];
 			}
 		}