diff --git a/squeaknode/core/profiles.py b/squeaknode/core/profiles.py
index 1afb5c5c..ed78d647 100644
--- a/squeaknode/core/profiles.py
+++ b/squeaknode/core/profiles.py
@@ -68,3 +68,11 @@ def validate_profile_name(profile_name: str) -> None:
         raise Exception(
             "Profile name cannot be empty.",
         )
+
+
+def get_profile_private_key(profile: SqueakProfile) -> bytes:
+    if profile.private_key is None:
+        raise Exception("Profile: {} does not have a private key.".format(
+            profile,
+        ))
+    return profile.private_key
diff --git a/squeaknode/node/squeak_controller.py b/squeaknode/node/squeak_controller.py
index f69ea45b..26d9882e 100644
--- a/squeaknode/node/squeak_controller.py
+++ b/squeaknode/node/squeak_controller.py
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ from squeaknode.core.peer_address import PeerAddress
 from squeaknode.core.peers import create_saved_peer
 from squeaknode.core.profiles import create_contact_profile
 from squeaknode.core.profiles import create_signing_profile
+from squeaknode.core.profiles import get_profile_private_key
 from squeaknode.core.received_offer import ReceivedOffer
 from squeaknode.core.received_payment import ReceivedPayment
 from squeaknode.core.received_payment_summary import ReceivedPaymentSummary
@@ -320,13 +321,9 @@ class SqueakController:
         profile = self.get_squeak_profile(profile_id)
         if profile is None:
             raise Exception("Profile with id: {} does not exist.".format(
-                profile_id
+                profile_id,
             ))
-        if profile.private_key is None:
-            raise Exception("Profile with id: {} does not have a private key.".format(
-                profile_id
-            ))
-        return profile.private_key
+        return get_profile_private_key(profile)
 
     def create_peer(self, peer_name: str, peer_address: PeerAddress):
         squeak_peer = create_saved_peer(
diff --git a/tests/conftest.py b/tests/conftest.py
index 34d6a3d5..ba944fab 100644
--- a/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/conftest.py
@@ -54,6 +54,11 @@ def signing_key():
     yield CSigningKey.generate()
 
 
+@pytest.fixture
+def signing_key_bytes(signing_key):
+    yield str(signing_key).encode()
+
+
 @pytest.fixture
 def address(signing_key):
     verifying_key = signing_key.get_verifying_key()
diff --git a/tests/core/test_profiles.py b/tests/core/test_profiles.py
index 2fd0e97a..d2e7973d 100644
--- a/tests/core/test_profiles.py
+++ b/tests/core/test_profiles.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import pytest
 
 from squeaknode.core.profiles import create_contact_profile
 from squeaknode.core.profiles import create_signing_profile
+from squeaknode.core.profiles import get_profile_private_key
 
 
 @pytest.fixture
@@ -71,3 +72,15 @@ def test_create_contact_profile_invalid_address(profile_name, invalid_address_st
     with pytest.raises(Exception) as excinfo:
         create_contact_profile(profile_name, invalid_address_str)
     assert "Invalid squeak address" in str(excinfo.value)
+
+
+def test_get_profile_private_key(signing_profile, signing_key_bytes):
+    private_key = get_profile_private_key(signing_profile)
+
+    assert private_key == signing_key_bytes
+
+
+def test_get_profile_private_key_missing(contact_profile):
+    with pytest.raises(Exception) as excinfo:
+        get_profile_private_key(contact_profile)
+    assert "does not have a private key" in str(excinfo.value)