diff --git a/key.go b/key.go
index c1d6f52..6f91d4c 100644
--- a/key.go
+++ b/key.go
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ func generate() {
 }
 
 func encrypt() {
-	key, err := readKey()
+	key, err := publicKey()
 	if err != nil {
 		exit(1, "couldn't setup key: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ func encrypt() {
 	if err != nil {
 		exit(1, "error reading input message: %v", err)
 	}
-	ctxt, err := rsa.EncryptPKCS1v15(rand.Reader, &key.PublicKey, msg)
+	ctxt, err := rsa.EncryptPKCS1v15(rand.Reader, key, msg)
 	if err != nil {
 		exit(1, "error encrypting message: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ func encrypt() {
 }
 
 func decrypt() {
-	key, err := readKey()
+	key, err := privateKey()
 	if err != nil {
 		exit(1, "couldn't setup key: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -70,7 +70,28 @@ func decrypt() {
 	fmt.Printf("%s", msg)
 }
 
-func readKey() (*rsa.PrivateKey, error) {
+func publicKey() (*rsa.PublicKey, error) {
+	if options.publicKey == "" {
+		priv, err := privateKey()
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		return &priv.PublicKey, nil
+	}
+	f, err := os.Open(options.publicKey)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to read public key from file %s: %v", options.publicKey, err)
+	}
+	defer f.Close()
+	d1 := json.NewDecoder(f)
+	var key rsa.PublicKey
+	if err := d1.Decode(&key); err != nil {
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to decode key from file %s: %v", options.key, err)
+	}
+	return &key, nil
+}
+
+func privateKey() (*rsa.PrivateKey, error) {
 	f, err := os.Open(options.key)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unable to open private key file at %s: %v", options.key, err)
@@ -86,7 +107,7 @@ func readKey() (*rsa.PrivateKey, error) {
 }
 
 func getPublic() {
-	priv, err := readKey()
+	priv, err := privateKey()
 	if err != nil {
 		exit(1, "unable to read private key file: %v", err)
 	}
diff --git a/whisper.go b/whisper.go
index 75f8f8c..f1aa105 100644
--- a/whisper.go
+++ b/whisper.go
@@ -16,10 +16,11 @@ var (
 )
 
 var options struct {
-	port int
-	host string
-	key  string
-	nick string
+	port      int
+	host      string
+	key       string
+	publicKey string
+	nick      string
 }
 
 func exit(status int, template string, args ...interface{}) {
@@ -66,5 +67,6 @@ func init() {
 	flag.IntVar(&options.port, "port", 9000, "port number")
 	flag.StringVar(&options.host, "host", "localhost", "host to connect to")
 	flag.StringVar(&options.key, "key", "whisper_key", "rsa key to use")
+	flag.StringVar(&options.publicKey, "public-key", "", "public rsa key to use")
 	flag.StringVar(&options.nick, "nick", "", "nick to use in chat")
 }