diff --git a/pub/federation.js b/pub/federation.js
index 4e139ec..5449003 100644
--- a/pub/federation.js
+++ b/pub/federation.js
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ function requestObject (id) {
   return request({
     url: id,
     headers: { Accept: 'application/activity+json' },
+    json: true,
     httpSignature: {
       key: global.guppeSystemUser._meta.privateKey,
       keyId: global.guppeSystemUser.id,