diff --git a/src/wormhole_transit_relay/database.py b/src/wormhole_transit_relay/database.py
index 1f1f023..7bb09d8 100644
--- a/src/wormhole_transit_relay/database.py
+++ b/src/wormhole_transit_relay/database.py
@@ -116,6 +116,15 @@ def get_db(dbfile, target_version=TARGET_VERSION):
 
     return db
 
+class DBDoesntExist(Exception):
+    pass
+
+def open_existing_db(dbfile):
+    assert dbfile != ":memory:"
+    if not os.path.exists(dbfile):
+        raise DBDoesntExist()
+    return _open_db_connection(dbfile)
+
 class DBAlreadyExists(Exception):
     pass
 
diff --git a/src/wormhole_transit_relay/test/test_database.py b/src/wormhole_transit_relay/test/test_database.py
index 4319eec..0b5c918 100644
--- a/src/wormhole_transit_relay/test/test_database.py
+++ b/src/wormhole_transit_relay/test/test_database.py
@@ -83,3 +83,22 @@ class Create(unittest.TestCase):
         latest_text = dump_db(db)
         self.assertIn("CREATE TABLE", latest_text)
 
+class Open(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_open(self):
+        basedir = self.mktemp()
+        os.mkdir(basedir)
+        fn = os.path.join(basedir, "created.db")
+        db1 = database.create_db(fn)
+        latest_text = dump_db(db1)
+        self.assertIn("CREATE TABLE", latest_text)
+        db2 = database.open_existing_db(fn)
+        self.assertIn("CREATE TABLE", dump_db(db2))
+
+    def test_doesnt_exist(self):
+        basedir = self.mktemp()
+        os.mkdir(basedir)
+        fn = os.path.join(basedir, "created.db")
+        with self.assertRaises(database.DBDoesntExist):
+            database.open_existing_db(fn)
+
+