diff --git a/python/src/deltachat/account.py b/python/src/deltachat/account.py
index 4799dc87..b37947bc 100644
--- a/python/src/deltachat/account.py
+++ b/python/src/deltachat/account.py
@@ -175,9 +175,15 @@ class Account(object):
         res = capi.lib.dc_get_config(self.dc_context, name, b'')
         return ffi_unicode(res)
 
-    def get_self_contact(self):
-        if not capi.lib.dc_is_configured(self.dc_context):
+    def is_configured(self):
+        return capi.lib.dc_is_configured(self.dc_context)
+
+    def check_is_configured(self):
+        if not self.is_configured():
             raise ValueError("need to configure first")
+
+    def get_self_contact(self):
+        self.check_is_configured()
         return Contact(self.dc_context, capi.lib.DC_CONTACT_ID_SELF)
 
     def create_contact(self, email, name=ffi.NULL):
diff --git a/python/tests/test_account.py b/python/tests/test_account.py
index 781e924d..953f1c91 100644
--- a/python/tests/test_account.py
+++ b/python/tests/test_account.py
@@ -4,6 +4,12 @@ from deltachat.capi import lib
 
 
 class TestOfflineAccount:
+    def test_is_not_configured(self, acfactory):
+        ac1 = acfactory.get_offline_account()
+        assert not ac1.is_configured()
+        with pytest.raises(ValueError):
+            ac1.check_is_configured()
+
     def test_selfcontact_if_unconfigured(self, acfactory):
         ac1 = acfactory.get_offline_account()
         with pytest.raises(ValueError):
@@ -70,6 +76,7 @@ class TestOnlineAccount:
         self.wait_successful_IMAP_SMTP_connection(ac1)
         self.wait_configuration_progress(ac1, 1000)
         assert ac1.get_config("mail_pw")
+        assert ac1.is_configured()
 
     def test_send_message(self, acfactory):
         ac1 = acfactory.get_live_account()