diff --git a/api/funkwhale_api/federation/tasks.py b/api/funkwhale_api/federation/tasks.py
index 5d2338ad2..9ad4da160 100644
--- a/api/funkwhale_api/federation/tasks.py
+++ b/api/funkwhale_api/federation/tasks.py
@@ -633,6 +633,10 @@ def fetch_collection(url, max_pages, channel, is_page=False):
 def refresh_actor_data():
     actors = models.Actor.objects.all().prefetch_related()
     for actor in actors:
+        if actor.is_local:
+            # skip refreshing local actors
+            continue
+
         try:
             data = actors_utils.get_actor_data(actor.fid)
         except HTTPError as e:
diff --git a/changes/changelog.d/1873.bugfix b/changes/changelog.d/1873.bugfix
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ac660f5ca
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changes/changelog.d/1873.bugfix
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Skip refreshing local actors in celery federation.refresh_actor_data task - fixes disappearing avatars (!1873)