diff --git a/viera/authreqs.py b/viera/authreqs.py
index d70aa7e..56c7fc7 100644
--- a/viera/authreqs.py
+++ b/viera/authreqs.py
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ def new_auth_req(irc_nickname, irc_account):
     return authid
 
 
+# XXX - utter hackjob
 def set_irc_bot(bot):
     global IRC_BOT
 
@@ -50,6 +51,12 @@ def set_irc_bot(bot):
     logging.debug("SET IRC BOT TO: %r", bot)
 
 
+def get_irc_bot():
+    global IRC_BOT
+
+    return IRC_BOT
+
+
 def check_auth(account):
     return account in DATABASE["auths"]