diff --git a/app/src/main/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/jobs/SendViewedReceiptJob.java b/app/src/main/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/jobs/SendViewedReceiptJob.java
index 8e882f7dee..ae727e135d 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/jobs/SendViewedReceiptJob.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/jobs/SendViewedReceiptJob.java
@@ -196,6 +196,11 @@ public class SendViewedReceiptJob extends BaseJob {
       return;
     }
 
+    if (recipient.isReleaseNotes()) {
+      Log.w(TAG, "Refusing to send receipts to release channel");
+      return;
+    }
+
     SignalServiceMessageSender  messageSender  = ApplicationDependencies.getSignalServiceMessageSender();
     SignalServiceAddress        remoteAddress  = RecipientUtil.toSignalServiceAddress(context, recipient);
     SignalServiceReceiptMessage receiptMessage = new SignalServiceReceiptMessage(SignalServiceReceiptMessage.Type.VIEWED,