diff --git a/README_commandline.md b/README_commandline.md
index 72a058ab0..a01428ca0 100644
--- a/README_commandline.md
+++ b/README_commandline.md
@@ -473,7 +473,7 @@ next                                  Next page in the timeline
 prev                                  Previous page in the timeline
 read [post number]                    Read a post from a timeline
 open [post number]                    Open web links within a timeline post
-profile [post number]                 Show profile for the person who made the given post
+profile [post number or handle]       Show profile for the person who made the given post
 following [page number]               Show accounts that you are following
 followers [page number]               Show accounts that are following you
 approve [handle]                      Approve a follow request
diff --git a/desktop_client.py b/desktop_client.py
index d225243ab..766c6b9db 100644
--- a/desktop_client.py
+++ b/desktop_client.py
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ def _desktopHelp() -> None:
           'Read a post from a timeline')
     print(indent + 'open [post number]                    ' +
           'Open web links within a timeline post')
-    print(indent + 'profile [post number]                 ' +
+    print(indent + 'profile [post number or handle]       ' +
           'Show profile for the person who made the given post')
     print(indent + 'following [page number]               ' +
           'Show accounts that you are following')
@@ -836,6 +836,24 @@ def _desktopShowProfile(session, nickname: str, domain: str,
     return actorJson
 
 
+def _desktopShowProfileFromHandle(session, nickname: str, domain: str,
+                                  httpPrefix: str, baseDir: str, boxName: str,
+                                  handle: str,
+                                  systemLanguage: str,
+                                  screenreader: str, espeak,
+                                  translate: {}, yourActor: str,
+                                  postJsonObject: {}) -> {}:
+    """Shows the profile for a handle
+    Returns the actor json
+    """
+    actorJson = getActorJson(handle, False, False, False, True)
+
+    _desktopShowActor(baseDir, actorJson, translate,
+                      systemLanguage, screenreader, espeak)
+
+    return actorJson
+
+
 def _desktopGetBoxPostObject(boxJson: {}, index: int) -> {}:
     """Gets the post with the given index from the timeline
     """
@@ -1581,7 +1599,21 @@ def runDesktopClient(baseDir: str, proxyType: str, httpPrefix: str,
                 else:
                     postIndexStr = commandStr.split('profile ')[1]
 
-                if not actorJson and boxJson and postIndexStr.isdigit():
+                if not postIndexStr.isdigit():
+                    profileHandle = postIndexStr
+                    _desktopShowBox(indent, followRequestsJson,
+                                    yourActor, currTimeline, boxJson,
+                                    translate,
+                                    screenreader, systemLanguage,
+                                    espeak, pageNumber,
+                                    newRepliesExist, newDMsExist)
+                    _desktopShowProfileFromHandle(session, nickname, domain,
+                                                  httpPrefix, baseDir,
+                                                  currTimeline, profileHandle,
+                                                  systemLanguage, screenreader,
+                                                  espeak, translate, yourActor,
+                                                  None)
+                elif not actorJson and boxJson:
                     _desktopShowBox(indent, followRequestsJson,
                                     yourActor, currTimeline, boxJson,
                                     translate,