diff --git a/src/lib/keyStores/testMocks.ts b/src/lib/keyStores/testMocks.ts
index a9c3e9399..a0df3a837 100644
--- a/src/lib/keyStores/testMocks.ts
+++ b/src/lib/keyStores/testMocks.ts
@@ -21,6 +21,9 @@ export class MockPrivateKeyStore extends PrivateKeyStore {
   }
 
   public async retrieveIdentityKey(privateAddress: string): Promise<CryptoKey | null> {
+    if (this.failOnFetch) {
+      throw new Error('Denied');
+    }
     return this.identityKeys[privateAddress] ?? null;
   }