diff --git a/jmclient/jmclient/wallet_utils.py b/jmclient/jmclient/wallet_utils.py
index 50d4db8..8a40fd0 100644
--- a/jmclient/jmclient/wallet_utils.py
+++ b/jmclient/jmclient/wallet_utils.py
@@ -1532,8 +1532,9 @@ def open_wallet(path, ask_for_password=True, password=None, read_only=False,
     if ask_for_password and Storage.is_encrypted_storage_file(path):
         while True:
             try:
-                # Verify lock status before trying to open wallet.
-                Storage.verify_lock(path)
+                # Verify lock status if not read only before trying to open wallet.
+                if not read_only:
+                    Storage.verify_lock(path)
                 # do not try empty password, assume unencrypted on empty password
                 pwd = get_password("Enter passphrase to decrypt wallet: ") or None
                 storage = Storage(path, password=pwd, read_only=read_only)