diff --git a/src/middleware/activitypub.js b/src/middleware/activitypub.js
index f1e78a1cd6..4504f83d44 100644
--- a/src/middleware/activitypub.js
+++ b/src/middleware/activitypub.js
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ const db = require('../database');
 const meta = require('../meta');
 const activitypub = require('../activitypub');
 const analytics = require('../analytics');
+const helpers = require('./helpers');
 
 const middleware = module.exports;
 
@@ -59,7 +60,7 @@ middleware.verify = async function (req, res, next) {
 	next();
 };
 
-middleware.assertPayload = async function (req, res, next) {
+middleware.assertPayload = helpers.try(async function (req, res, next) {
 	// Checks the validity of the incoming payload against the sender and rejects on failure
 	activitypub.helpers.log('[middleware/activitypub] Validating incoming payload...');
 
@@ -131,7 +132,7 @@ middleware.assertPayload = async function (req, res, next) {
 	activitypub.helpers.log('[middleware/activitypub] Key ownership cross-check passed.');
 
 	next();
-};
+});
 
 middleware.resolveObjects = async function (req, res, next) {
 	const { type, object } = req.body;