diff --git a/client/internal/peer/key.go b/client/internal/peer/key.go
index bdfac3482..ef36e62ff 100644
--- a/client/internal/peer/key.go
+++ b/client/internal/peer/key.go
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 package peer
 
 func shortenKey(pubKey string) string {
+	if len(pubKey) < 7 {
+		return pubKey
+	}
 	return pubKey[:7]
 }