diff --git a/lib/controllers/compose.js b/lib/controllers/compose.js
index e69e115..73dcbe1 100644
--- a/lib/controllers/compose.js
+++ b/lib/controllers/compose.js
@@ -264,23 +264,28 @@ export function submitComposeController(mountPath, plugin) {
             object: note,
           });
 
-          // Resolve recipient for delivery
-          const { resolveAuthor } = await import("../resolve-author.js");
+          // Look up the recipient actor directly (senderActorUrl is an actor URL, not a post URL)
           const documentLoader = await ctx.getDocumentLoader({ identifier: handle });
-          const recipient = await resolveAuthor(
-            senderActorUrl,
-            ctx,
-            documentLoader,
-            application?.collections,
-          );
-
-          if (recipient) {
-            await ctx.sendActivity({ identifier: handle }, recipient, create, {
-              orderingKey: noteId.href,
-            });
-            console.info(`[ActivityPub] Sent direct AP reply to ${senderActorUrl}`);
+          let recipient;
+          try {
+            recipient = await ctx.lookupObject(new URL(senderActorUrl), { documentLoader });
+          } catch (lookupError) {
+            console.warn(`[ActivityPub] Actor lookup failed for ${senderActorUrl}:`, lookupError.message);
           }
 
+          // Fall back to a minimal Recipient if lookup fails (standard inbox path)
+          if (!recipient) {
+            recipient = {
+              id: new URL(senderActorUrl),
+              inboxId: new URL(`${senderActorUrl}/inbox`),
+            };
+          }
+
+          await ctx.sendActivity({ identifier: handle }, recipient, create, {
+            orderingKey: noteId.href,
+          });
+          console.info(`[ActivityPub] Sent direct AP reply to ${senderActorUrl}`);
+
           return response.redirect(`${mountPath}/admin/reader/notifications`);
         } catch (error) {
           console.error("[ActivityPub] Native AP DM reply failed:", error.message);