diff --git a/crates/apub/src/objects/community.rs b/crates/apub/src/objects/community.rs
index 7ee204ac9..f3050612e 100644
--- a/crates/apub/src/objects/community.rs
+++ b/crates/apub/src/objects/community.rs
@@ -190,10 +190,14 @@ impl Object for ApubCommunity {
     let community = Community::insert_apub(&mut context.pool(), timestamp, &form).await?;
     CommunityLanguage::update(&mut context.pool(), languages, community.id).await?;
 
-    let community: ApubCommunity = community.into();
+    // Need to fetch mods synchronously, otherwise fetching a post in community with
+    // `posting_restricted_to_mods` can fail if mods havent been fetched yet.
+    if let Some(moderators) = group.attributed_to {
+      moderators.dereference(&community, &context).await.ok();
+    }
 
     // These collections are not necessary for Lemmy to work, so ignore errors.
-    let community_ = community.clone();
+    let community_: ApubCommunity = community.clone().into();
     let context_ = context.reset_request_count();
     spawn_try_task(async move {
       group.outbox.dereference(&community_, &context_).await.ok();
@@ -203,9 +207,6 @@ impl Object for ApubCommunity {
       if let Some(featured) = group.featured {
         featured.dereference(&community_, &context_).await.ok();
       }
-      if let Some(moderators) = group.attributed_to {
-        moderators.dereference(&community_, &context_).await.ok();
-      }
       Ok(())
     });