diff --git a/helpers/lbryApi.js b/helpers/lbryApi.js
index d04b9f9c..e1b2bad2 100644
--- a/helpers/lbryApi.js
+++ b/helpers/lbryApi.js
@@ -1,6 +1,22 @@
 const axios = require('axios');
 const logger = require('winston');
 
+function handleResponse ({ data }, resolve, reject) {
+  logger.debug('handling lbry api response');
+  if (data.result) {
+    // check for an error
+    if (data.result.error) {
+      reject(data.result.error);
+      return;
+    };
+    logger.debug('data.result', data.result);
+    resolve(data.result);
+    return;
+  }
+  // fallback in case the just timed out
+  reject(JSON.stringify(data));
+}
+
 module.exports = {
   getWalletList () {
     logger.debug('lbryApi >> getting wallet list');
@@ -10,8 +26,7 @@ module.exports = {
           method: 'wallet_list',
         })
         .then(response => {
-          const result = response.data.result;
-          resolve(result);
+          handleResponse(response, resolve, reject);
         })
         .catch(error => {
           reject(error);
@@ -27,8 +42,7 @@ module.exports = {
           params: publishParams,
         })
         .then(response => {
-          const result = response.data.result;
-          resolve(result);
+          handleResponse(response, resolve, reject);
         })
         .catch(error => {
           reject(error);
@@ -43,18 +57,8 @@ module.exports = {
           method: 'get',
           params: { uri, timeout: 20 },
         })
-        .then(({ data }) => {
-          // check to make sure the daemon didn't just time out
-          if (!data.result) {
-            reject(JSON.stringify(data));
-          }
-          if (data.result.error) {
-            reject(data.result.error);
-          }
-          /*
-            note: put in a check to make sure we do not resolve until the download is actually complete (response.data.completed === true)?
-          */
-          resolve(data.result);
+        .then(response => {
+          handleResponse(response, resolve, reject);
         })
         .catch(error => {
           reject(error);
@@ -69,8 +73,8 @@ module.exports = {
           method: 'claim_list',
           params: { name: claimName },
         })
-        .then(({ data }) => {
-          resolve(data.result);
+        .then(response => {
+          handleResponse(response, resolve, reject);
         })
         .catch(error => {
           reject(error);
@@ -94,7 +98,6 @@ module.exports = {
           }
         })
         .catch(error => {
-          console.log('error with resolve', error);
           reject(error);
         });
     });
@@ -110,7 +113,6 @@ module.exports = {
           if (data.result) {
             resolve(data.result.download_directory);
           } else {
-            // reject(new Error('Successfully connected to lbry daemon, but unable to retrieve the download directory.'));
             return new Error('Successfully connected to lbry daemon, but unable to retrieve the download directory.');
           }
         })
@@ -120,15 +122,22 @@ module.exports = {
         });
     });
   },
-  createChannel (channelName) {
+  createChannel (name) {
     return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
-      resolve({
-        tx      : 'test',
-        txid    : 'test',
-        nout    : 'test',
-        fee     : 'test',
-        claim_id: 'xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx',
-      });
+      axios
+        .post('http://localhost:5279/lbryapi', {
+          method: 'channel_new',
+          params: {
+            channel_name: name,
+            amount      : 0.1,
+          },
+        })
+        .then(response => {
+          handleResponse(response, resolve, reject);
+        })
+          .catch(error => {
+            reject(error);
+          });
     });
   },
 };
diff --git a/passport/local-signup.js b/passport/local-signup.js
index 3e1f4787..f7f8dcce 100644
--- a/passport/local-signup.js
+++ b/passport/local-signup.js
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ module.exports = new PassportLocalStrategy(
           channelClaimId: certificate.claimId,
           password      : password,
           address,
+          CertificateId : certificate.id,
         };
         return db.User.create(userData);
       }).then(user => {