diff --git a/format.js b/format.js
index f997fde..0916ec1 100644
--- a/format.js
+++ b/format.js
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ function makeEncryptionFormat() {
         return dmEncryptionKey(opts.keys, recp)
       } else if (isGroupId(recp) && keyring.group.has(recp)) {
         return keyring.group.get(recp).writeKey
-      } else if (isPoBoxId(recp) && keyring.poBox.has(recp)) {
+      } else if (isPoBoxId(recp)) {
         return easyPoBoxKey(recp)
       } else throw new Error('Unsupported recipient: ' + recp)
     })
diff --git a/test/pobox.js b/test/pobox.js
index 0bf235d..e9e6dbc 100644
--- a/test/pobox.js
+++ b/test/pobox.js
@@ -84,3 +84,22 @@ test('pobox functions', async (t) => {
 
   await tearDown()
 })
+
+test("can encrypt to a pobox we haven't added", t => {
+  setup()
+
+  const opts = {
+    keys,
+    content: { type: 'post', text: 'super secret post to strange pobox' },
+    encryptionFormat: 'box2',
+    recps: [poBoxId],
+  }
+
+  sbot.db.create(opts, (err, privateMsg) => {
+    t.error(err, 'no err')
+
+    t.equal(typeof privateMsg.value.content, 'string')
+
+    tearDown(t.end)
+  })
+})
\ No newline at end of file