diff --git a/data.c b/data.c
index 7806bec..c6225e6 100644
--- a/data.c
+++ b/data.c
@@ -586,8 +586,8 @@ void timeline_admire(snac *snac, char *id, char *admirer, int like)
         if (xs_list_in(list, admirer) == -1)
             list = xs_list_append(list, admirer);
 
-        /* set the admirer as the referrer */
-        if (!like)
+        /* set the admirer as the referrer (if not already set) */
+        if (!like && xs_is_null(xs_dict_get(meta, "referrer")))
             meta = xs_dict_set(meta, "referrer", admirer);
 
         /* re-store */