diff --git a/britney2/policies/email.py b/britney2/policies/email.py
index b612bb7..50c8e86 100644
--- a/britney2/policies/email.py
+++ b/britney2/policies/email.py
@@ -38,12 +38,19 @@ If you have any questions about this email, please ask them in #ubuntu-release c
 
 def person_chooser(source):
     """Assign blame for the current source package."""
+    def should_add_package_creator():
+        # things which were copied into unstable by a known bot
+        bot = source['package_signer_link'] in BOTS
+        # direct uploads
+        regular = not source['creator_link'] and not source['sponsor_link']
+        return bot or regular
+
     people = {
         source['package_signer_link'],
         source['sponsor_link'],
         source['creator_link'],
     } - {None} - BOTS
-    if source['package_signer_link'] in BOTS:
+    if should_add_package_creator():
         people.add(source['package_creator_link'])
     return people
 
diff --git a/tests/test_email.py b/tests/test_email.py
index a9ae1a3..fa398e4 100755
--- a/tests/test_email.py
+++ b/tests/test_email.py
@@ -127,6 +127,7 @@ class T(unittest.TestCase):
         })
         self.assertEqual(person_chooser(SPONSORED_UPLOAD), {
             'https://api.launchpad.net/1.0/~apw',
+            'https://api.launchpad.net/1.0/~smb'
         })
         self.assertEqual(person_chooser(BILETO), {
             'https://api.launchpad.net/1.0/~dobey',