diff --git a/core/src/main/java/com/google/bitcoin/core/ECKey.java b/core/src/main/java/com/google/bitcoin/core/ECKey.java
index ec11280d..337853c6 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/com/google/bitcoin/core/ECKey.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/com/google/bitcoin/core/ECKey.java
@@ -560,7 +560,8 @@ public class ECKey implements EncryptableItem, Serializable {
      * EC maths on them.
      *
      * @param aesKey The AES key to use for decryption of the private key. If null then no decryption is required.
-     * @throws KeyCrypterException if this ECKey doesn't have a private part.
+     * @throws KeyCrypterException if there's something wrong with aesKey.
+     * @throws ECKey.MissingPrivateKeyException if this key cannot sign because it's pubkey only.
      */
     public ECDSASignature sign(Sha256Hash input, @Nullable KeyParameter aesKey) throws KeyCrypterException {
         KeyCrypter crypter = getKeyCrypter();
@@ -721,8 +722,6 @@ public class ECKey implements EncryptableItem, Serializable {
      * @throws KeyCrypterException if this ECKey is encrypted and no AESKey is provided or it does not decrypt the ECKey.
      */
     public String signMessage(String message, @Nullable KeyParameter aesKey) throws KeyCrypterException {
-        if (priv == null)
-            throw new MissingPrivateKeyException();
         byte[] data = Utils.formatMessageForSigning(message);
         Sha256Hash hash = Sha256Hash.createDouble(data);
         ECDSASignature sig = sign(hash, aesKey);
diff --git a/core/src/test/java/com/google/bitcoin/wallet/DeterministicKeyChainTest.java b/core/src/test/java/com/google/bitcoin/wallet/DeterministicKeyChainTest.java
index 95adface..a703d4e4 100644
--- a/core/src/test/java/com/google/bitcoin/wallet/DeterministicKeyChainTest.java
+++ b/core/src/test/java/com/google/bitcoin/wallet/DeterministicKeyChainTest.java
@@ -71,6 +71,12 @@ public class DeterministicKeyChainTest {
         key3.sign(Sha256Hash.ZERO_HASH);
     }
 
+    @Test
+    public void signMessage() throws Exception {
+        ECKey key = chain.getKey(KeyChain.KeyPurpose.RECEIVE_FUNDS);
+        key.verifyMessage("test", key.signMessage("test"));
+    }
+
     @Test
     public void events() throws Exception {
         // Check that we get the right events at the right time.