diff --git a/addons/mail/models/mail_followers.py b/addons/mail/models/mail_followers.py
index 65a17ee314a..4710d1eb1ae 100644
--- a/addons/mail/models/mail_followers.py
+++ b/addons/mail/models/mail_followers.py
@@ -113,8 +113,9 @@ class Followers(models.Model):
         self.env['res.users'].flush_model(['notification_type', 'active', 'partner_id', 'groups_id'])
         self.env['res.partner'].flush_model(['active', 'partner_share'])
         self.env['res.groups'].flush_model(['users'])
-        # if we have records and a subtype: we have to fetch followers
-        if records and subtype_id:
+        # if we have records and a subtype: we have to fetch followers, unless being
+        # in user notification mode (contact only pids)
+        if message_type != 'user_notification' and records and subtype_id:
             query = """
     WITH sub_followers AS (
         SELECT fol.partner_id AS pid,