diff --git a/stdplugins/ninja.py b/stdplugins/ninja.py
index 42688e9..8209158 100644
--- a/stdplugins/ninja.py
+++ b/stdplugins/ninja.py
@@ -11,15 +11,6 @@ import telethon.utils
 from uniborg import util
 
 
-async def get_target_message(event):
-    if event.is_reply and (await event.get_reply_message()).from_id == borg.uid:
-        return await event.get_reply_message()
-    async for message in borg.iter_messages(
-            await event.get_input_chat(), limit=20):
-        if message.out:
-            return message
-
-
 async def await_read(chat, message):
     if isinstance(chat, InputPeerSelf):
         return
@@ -46,7 +37,7 @@ async def delete(event):
         text = event.pattern_match.group(2)
         if not text:
             return
-    target = await get_target_message(event)
+    target = await util.get_target_message(borg, event)
     if target:
         chat = await event.get_input_chat()
         await await_read(chat, target)
diff --git a/uniborg/util.py b/uniborg/util.py
index 39cfc8c..3e3e7c3 100644
--- a/uniborg/util.py
+++ b/uniborg/util.py
@@ -28,3 +28,12 @@ async def is_read(borg, entity, message, is_out=None):
     dialog = (await borg(GetPeerDialogsRequest([entity]))).dialogs[0]
     max_id = dialog.read_outbox_max_id if is_out else dialog.read_inbox_max_id
     return message_id <= max_id
+
+
+async def get_target_message(borg, event):
+    if event.is_reply and (await event.get_reply_message()).from_id == borg.uid:
+        return await event.get_reply_message()
+    async for message in borg.iter_messages(
+            await event.get_input_chat(), limit=20):
+        if message.out:
+            return message