diff --git a/tipbot.py b/tipbot.py
index 1da0c41..2e6d618 100644
--- a/tipbot.py
+++ b/tipbot.py
@@ -89,12 +89,8 @@ for modulename in modulenames:
 
 def GetBalance(link,cmd):
   nick=link.user.nick
-  log_log("GetBalance: checking %s (%s)" % (link.identity(),str(link)))
   try:
-    balance = redis_hget("balances",link.identity())
-    if balance == None:
-      balance = 0
-    balance = long(balance)
+    balance = RetrieveBalance(link)
     sbalance = AmountToString(balance)
     if balance < coinspecs.atomic_units:
       if balance == 0:
diff --git a/tipbot/utils.py b/tipbot/utils.py
index 0321af0..f9ca431 100644
--- a/tipbot/utils.py
+++ b/tipbot/utils.py
@@ -212,6 +212,16 @@ def RetrieveTipbotBalance():
     return
   return balance, unlocked_balance
 
+def RetrieveBalance(link):
+  try:
+    balance = redis_hget("balances",link.identity())
+    if balance == None:
+      balance = 0
+    return long(balance)
+  except Exception, e:
+    log_error('RetrieveBalance: exception: %s' % str(e))
+    raise
+
 def IdentityFromString(link,s):
   if s.find(':') == -1:
     network = link.network.name