diff --git a/telegram/utils.go b/telegram/utils.go
index 61fefa7..a4f3899 100644
--- a/telegram/utils.go
+++ b/telegram/utils.go
@@ -179,14 +179,7 @@ func (c *Client) ProcessStatusUpdate(chatID int64, status string, show string, o
 
 	var photo string
 	if chat != nil && chat.Photo != nil {
-		path := chat.Photo.Small.Local.Path
-		if path == "" {
-			tgFile, err := c.DownloadFile(chat.Photo.Small.Id, 1, true)
-			if err == nil {
-				path = tgFile.Local.Path
-			}
-		}
-		file, err := os.Open(path)
+		file, path, err := c.OpenPhotoFile(chat.Photo.Small, 1)
 		if err == nil {
 			defer file.Close()
 
@@ -1006,6 +999,30 @@ func (c *Client) DownloadFile(id int32, priority int32, synchronous bool) (*clie
 	})
 }
 
+// OpenPhotoFile reliably obtains a photo if possible
+func (c *Client) OpenPhotoFile(photoFile *client.File, priority int32) (*os.File, string, error) {
+	if photoFile == nil {
+		return nil, "", errors.New("Photo file not found")
+	}
+
+	path := photoFile.Local.Path
+	file, err := os.Open(path)
+	if err == nil {
+		return file, path, nil
+	// obtain the photo right now if still not downloaded
+	} else if !photoFile.Local.IsDownloadingCompleted {
+		tdFile, tdErr := c.DownloadFile(photoFile.Id, priority, true)
+		if tdErr == nil {
+			path = tdFile.Local.Path
+			file, err = os.Open(path)
+			return file, path, err
+		}
+	}
+
+	// give up
+	return nil, path, err
+}
+
 // subscribe to a Telegram ID
 func (c *Client) subscribeToID(id int64, chat *client.Chat) {
 	var args []args.V
diff --git a/xmpp/handlers.go b/xmpp/handlers.go
index 4f048fb..ee1db21 100644
--- a/xmpp/handlers.go
+++ b/xmpp/handlers.go
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ import (
 	"encoding/base64"
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 	"io"
-	"os"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 
@@ -252,17 +251,7 @@ func handleGetVcardTempIq(s xmpp.Sender, iq *stanza.IQ) {
 		vcard.Fn.Text = chat.Title
 
 		if chat.Photo != nil {
-			path := chat.Photo.Small.Local.Path
-			file, err := os.Open(path)
-			// obtain the photo right now if still not downloaded
-			if err != nil && !chat.Photo.Small.Local.IsDownloadingCompleted {
-				tdFile, tdErr := session.DownloadFile(chat.Photo.Small.Id, 32, true)
-				if tdErr == nil {
-					path = tdFile.Local.Path
-					file, err = os.Open(path)
-				}
-			}
-
+			file, path, err := session.OpenPhotoFile(chat.Photo.Small, 32)
 			if err == nil {
 				defer file.Close()