diff --git a/backend/main.py b/backend/main.py
index 7ba155f..ff696c2 100644
--- a/backend/main.py
+++ b/backend/main.py
@@ -46,6 +46,10 @@ def main():
     jwt = JWTManager(app)
     jwt.user_lookup_loader(lookup_user)
 
+    @app.route("/")
+    def index():
+        return "PurpleForest backend is running!"
+
     app.add_url_rule("/register", methods=["POST"], view_func=register)
     app.add_url_rule("/login", methods=["POST"], view_func=login)
 
diff --git a/front-end/views/hashtag.mjs b/front-end/views/hashtag.mjs
index 7b7e996..8031c05 100644
--- a/front-end/views/hashtag.mjs
+++ b/front-end/views/hashtag.mjs
@@ -17,8 +17,10 @@ import {createHeading} from "../components/heading.mjs";
 function hashtagView(hashtag) {
   destroy();
 
-  apiService.getBloomsByHashtag(hashtag);
-
+  const hashtagWithHash = hashtag.startsWith("#") ? hashtag : `#${hashtag}`;
+  if (hashtagWithHash !== state.currentHashtag) {
+    apiService.getBloomsByHashtag(hashtagWithHash);
+  }
   renderOne(
     state.isLoggedIn,
     getLogoutContainer(),