diff --git a/app/models/conversation.rb b/app/models/conversation.rb
index 13dae328d..437750310 100644
--- a/app/models/conversation.rb
+++ b/app/models/conversation.rb
@@ -24,10 +24,15 @@ class Conversation < ActiveRecord::Base
   def diaspora_handle
     self.author.diaspora_handle
   end
+
   def diaspora_handle= nh
     self.author = Webfinger.new(nh).fetch
   end
 
+  def public?
+    false
+  end
+
   def participant_handles
     self.participants.map{|p| p.diaspora_handle}.join(";")
   end