diff --git a/data.c b/data.c
index 3a3d992..a166b35 100644
--- a/data.c
+++ b/data.c
@@ -827,6 +827,15 @@ xs_str *timeline_fn_by_md5(snac *snac, const char *md5)
 }
 
 
+int timeline_here(snac *snac, const char *md5)
+/* checks if an object is in the user cache */
+{
+    xs *fn = timeline_fn_by_md5(snac, md5);
+
+    return !(fn == NULL);
+}
+
+
 int timeline_get_by_md5(snac *snac, const char *md5, xs_dict **msg)
 /* gets a message from the timeline */
 {
@@ -929,9 +938,7 @@ xs_list *timeline_top_level(snac *snac, xs_list *list)
                 break;
 
             /* well, there is a parent... but is it here? */
-            xs *pfn = timeline_fn_by_md5(snac, line2);
-
-            if (pfn == NULL)
+            if (!timeline_here(snac, line2))
                 break;
 
             /* it's here! try again with its own parent */
diff --git a/snac.h b/snac.h
index ca4c261..42b7daf 100644
--- a/snac.h
+++ b/snac.h
@@ -92,6 +92,7 @@ int follower_check(snac *snac, const char *actor);
 d_char *follower_list(snac *snac);
 
 double timeline_mtime(snac *snac);
+int timeline_here(snac *snac, const char *md5);
 int timeline_get_by_md5(snac *snac, const char *md5, xs_dict **msg);
 int timeline_del(snac *snac, char *id);
 d_char *timeline_simple_list(snac *snac, const char *idx_name, int skip, int show);