diff --git a/files/classes/user.py b/files/classes/user.py
index 860a1dfa3..903f256a4 100644
--- a/files/classes/user.py
+++ b/files/classes/user.py
@@ -979,6 +979,7 @@ class User(Base):
 			else:
 				if not other.parent_submission:
 					if not user: return False
+					if not other.sentto: return True # handled by Notification
 					if other.sentto == 2: return user.admin_level >= PERMS['VIEW_MODMAIL']  # type: ignore
 					if other.sentto != user.id: return user.admin_level >= PERMS['POST_COMMENT_MODERATION']  # type: ignore
 				if other.parent_submission and other.post.sub and not cls.can_see(user, other.post.subr): return False