diff --git a/lib/pleroma/user.ex b/lib/pleroma/user.ex
index bfa5d78a4..aba8742a0 100644
--- a/lib/pleroma/user.ex
+++ b/lib/pleroma/user.ex
@@ -527,6 +527,11 @@ def block(blocker, %User{ap_id: ap_id} = blocked) do
     update_and_set_cache(cs)
   end
 
+  # helper to handle the block given only an actor's AP id
+  def block(blocker, %{ap_id: ap_id}) do
+    block(blocker, User.get_by_ap_id(ap_id))
+  end
+
   def unblock(user, %{ap_id: ap_id}) do
     blocks = user.info["blocks"] || []
     new_blocks = List.delete(blocks, ap_id)