diff --git a/blocking.py b/blocking.py
index 7498ae081..d2361a584 100644
--- a/blocking.py
+++ b/blocking.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ __status__ = "Production"
 import os
 import json
 from datetime import datetime
+from utils import isAccountDir
 from utils import getCachedPostFilename
 from utils import loadJson
 from utils import saveJson
@@ -660,9 +661,7 @@ def setBrochMode(baseDir: str, domainFull: str, enabled: bool) -> None:
         followFiles = ('following.txt', 'followers.txt')
         for subdir, dirs, files in os.walk(baseDir + '/accounts'):
             for acct in dirs:
-                if '@' not in acct:
-                    continue
-                if 'inbox@' in acct or 'news@' in acct:
+                if not isAccountDir(acct):
                     continue
                 accountDir = os.path.join(baseDir + '/accounts', acct)
                 for followFileType in followFiles:
diff --git a/daemon.py b/daemon.py
index 24233f648..62b2560a0 100644
--- a/daemon.py
+++ b/daemon.py
@@ -203,6 +203,7 @@ from shares import addShare
 from shares import removeShare
 from shares import expireShares
 from categories import setHashtagCategory
+from utils import isAccountDir
 from utils import getOccupationSkills
 from utils import getOccupationName
 from utils import setOccupationName
@@ -5700,9 +5701,7 @@ class PubServer(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
         msg = ''
         for subdir, dirs, files in os.walk(baseDir + '/accounts'):
             for acct in dirs:
-                if '@' not in acct:
-                    continue
-                if 'inbox@' in acct or 'news@' in acct:
+                if not isAccountDir(acct):
                     continue
                 nickname = acct.split('@')[0]
                 domain = acct.split('@')[1]
diff --git a/follow.py b/follow.py
index 7f88b8ebd..9cc72617c 100644
--- a/follow.py
+++ b/follow.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ from posts import sendSignedJson
 from posts import getPersonBox
 from utils import loadJson
 from utils import saveJson
+from utils import isAccountDir
 from acceptreject import createAccept
 from acceptreject import createReject
 from webfinger import webfingerHandle
@@ -37,9 +38,7 @@ def createInitialLastSeen(baseDir: str, httpPrefix: str) -> None:
     """
     for subdir, dirs, files in os.walk(baseDir + '/accounts'):
         for acct in dirs:
-            if '@' not in acct:
-                continue
-            if 'inbox@' in acct or 'news@' in acct:
+            if not isAccountDir(acct):
                 continue
             accountDir = os.path.join(baseDir + '/accounts', acct)
             followingFilename = accountDir + '/following.txt'
diff --git a/metadata.py b/metadata.py
index 99f252225..7add87590 100644
--- a/metadata.py
+++ b/metadata.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ __email__ = "bob@freedombone.net"
 __status__ = "Production"
 
 import os
+from utils import isAccountDir
 from utils import loadJson
 from utils import noOfAccounts
 from utils import noOfActiveAccountsMonthly
@@ -19,9 +20,7 @@ def _getStatusCount(baseDir: str) -> int:
     accountsDir = baseDir + '/accounts'
     for subdir, dirs, files in os.walk(accountsDir):
         for acct in dirs:
-            if '@' not in acct:
-                continue
-            if 'inbox@' in acct or 'news@' in acct:
+            if not isAccountDir(acct):
                 continue
             acctDir = os.path.join(accountsDir, acct + '/outbox')
             for subdir2, dirs2, files2 in os.walk(acctDir):
diff --git a/utils.py b/utils.py
index 428a6c5f3..cb731bfd7 100644
--- a/utils.py
+++ b/utils.py
@@ -2400,3 +2400,13 @@ def setOccupationSkillsList(actorJson: {}, skillsList: []) -> bool:
         occupationItem['skills'] = skillsList
         return True
     return False
+
+
+def isAccountDir(dirName: str) -> bool:
+    """Is the given directory an account within /accounts ?
+    """
+    if '@' not in dirName:
+        return False
+    if 'inbox@' in dirName or 'news@' in dirName:
+        return False
+    return True
diff --git a/webapp_accesskeys.py b/webapp_accesskeys.py
index 59634ecb9..7a88b4e60 100644
--- a/webapp_accesskeys.py
+++ b/webapp_accesskeys.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ __email__ = "bob@freedombone.net"
 __status__ = "Production"
 
 import os
+from utils import isAccountDir
 from utils import loadJson
 from utils import getConfigParam
 from webapp_utils import htmlHeaderWithExternalStyle
@@ -19,9 +20,7 @@ def loadAccessKeysForAccounts(baseDir: str, keyShortcuts: {},
     """
     for subdir, dirs, files in os.walk(baseDir + '/accounts'):
         for acct in dirs:
-            if '@' not in acct:
-                continue
-            if 'inbox@' in acct or 'news@' in acct:
+            if not isAccountDir(acct):
                 continue
             accountDir = os.path.join(baseDir + '/accounts', acct)
             accessKeysFilename = accountDir + '/accessKeys.json'