diff --git a/files/routes/votes.py b/files/routes/votes.py
index dcc0939c2..da2038d15 100644
--- a/files/routes/votes.py
+++ b/files/routes/votes.py
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ def api_vote_comment(comment_id, new, v):
 
 	comment = get_comment(comment_id)
 
-	if comment.author_id in poll_bots: return {"error": "forbidden."}, 403
+	if new == 1 and comment.author_id in poll_bots: return {"error": "forbidden."}, 403
 	
 	existing = g.db.query(CommentVote).filter_by(user_id=v.id, comment_id=comment.id).one_or_none()
 
@@ -287,4 +287,4 @@ def api_vote_choice(comment_id, v):
 	g.db.flush()
 	comment.upvotes = g.db.query(CommentVote).filter_by(comment_id=comment.id, vote_type=1).count()
 	g.db.add(comment)
-	return "", 204
\ No newline at end of file
+	return "", 204