diff --git a/r2/r2/models/builder.py b/r2/r2/models/builder.py
index aaec629a8..c3369bca2 100755
--- a/r2/r2/models/builder.py
+++ b/r2/r2/models/builder.py
@@ -482,6 +482,8 @@ class SearchBuilder(IDBuilder):
         # TODO: Consider a flag to disable this (and see listingcontroller.py)
         if item._spam or item._deleted:
             return False
+        elif getattr(item, "author", None) and item.author._deleted:
+            return False
         else:
             return True