diff --git a/nucypher/characters/base.py b/nucypher/characters/base.py
index 06f7decaf..75c045693 100644
--- a/nucypher/characters/base.py
+++ b/nucypher/characters/base.py
@@ -84,7 +84,6 @@ class Character(Learner):
                  signer: Signer = None,
                  registry: BaseContractRegistry = None,
                  include_self_in_the_state: bool = False,
-                 is_offchain: bool = False,
                  *args, **kwargs
                  ) -> None:
 
@@ -179,9 +178,7 @@ class Character(Learner):
                 self._stamp = NO_SIGNING_POWER
 
             # Blockchainy
-            if not self.federated_only and not is_offchain:
-                if not provider_uri:
-                    raise ValueError('Provider URI is required to init a decentralized character.')
+            if not self.federated_only:
                 self.provider_uri = provider_uri
 
                 # TODO: Implicit / lazy blockchain connection here?
diff --git a/nucypher/characters/lawful.py b/nucypher/characters/lawful.py
index f5ed84017..97c5e253b 100644
--- a/nucypher/characters/lawful.py
+++ b/nucypher/characters/lawful.py
@@ -112,6 +112,7 @@ class Alice(Character, BlockchainPolicyAuthor):
                  # Mode
                  is_me: bool = True,
                  federated_only: bool = False,
+                 provider_uri: str = None,
                  signer=None,
 
                  # Ownership
@@ -156,11 +157,15 @@ class Alice(Character, BlockchainPolicyAuthor):
                            known_node_class=Ursula,
                            is_me=is_me,
                            federated_only=federated_only,
+                           provider_uri=provider_uri,
                            checksum_address=checksum_address,
                            network_middleware=network_middleware,
                            *args, **kwargs)
 
         if is_me and not federated_only:  # TODO: #289
+            if not provider_uri:
+                raise ValueError('Provider URI is required to init a decentralized character.')
+
             blockchain = BlockchainInterfaceFactory.get_interface(provider_uri=self.provider_uri)
             signer = signer or Web3Signer(blockchain.client)  # fallback to web3 provider by default for Alice.
             self.transacting_power = TransactingPower(account=self.checksum_address, signer=signer)
@@ -172,7 +177,6 @@ class Alice(Character, BlockchainPolicyAuthor):
                                             rate=rate,
                                             duration_periods=duration_periods)
 
-
         self.log = Logger(self.__class__.__name__)
         if is_me:
             if controller:
@@ -502,7 +506,6 @@ class Bob(Character):
                            is_me=is_me,
                            known_node_class=Ursula,
                            verify_node_bonding=verify_node_bonding,
-                           is_offchain=provider_uri is None,
                            provider_uri=provider_uri,
                            *args, **kwargs)
 
@@ -1080,6 +1083,7 @@ class Ursula(Teacher, Character, Worker):
                  worker_address: ChecksumAddress = None,  # TODO: deprecate, and rename to "checksum_address"
                  client_password: str = None,
                  decentralized_identity_evidence=NOT_SIGNED,
+                 provider_uri: str = None,
 
                  # Character
                  abort_on_learning_error: bool = False,
@@ -1100,6 +1104,7 @@ class Ursula(Teacher, Character, Worker):
                            domain=domain,
                            known_node_class=Ursula,
                            include_self_in_the_state=True,
+                           provider_uri=provider_uri,
                            **character_kwargs)
 
         if is_me:
@@ -1118,6 +1123,9 @@ class Ursula(Teacher, Character, Worker):
             # Decentralized Worker
             if not federated_only:
 
+                if not provider_uri:
+                    raise ValueError('Provider URI is required to init a decentralized character.')
+
                 # TODO: Move to method
                 # Prepare a TransactingPower from worker node's transacting keys
                 transacting_power = TransactingPower(account=worker_address,