diff --git a/nucypher/characters/base.py b/nucypher/characters/base.py
index 34d950056..5b91e4958 100644
--- a/nucypher/characters/base.py
+++ b/nucypher/characters/base.py
@@ -209,10 +209,11 @@ class Character(Learner):
         # Decentralized
         #
         if not federated_only:
-            if not checksum_address:
-                raise ValueError("No checksum_address provided to run in decentralized mode.")
-            else:
-                self._checksum_address = checksum_address  # TODO: Check that this matches TransactingPower
+            # TODO: WHY MOE?
+            # if not checksum_address:
+            #     raise ValueError("No checksum_address provided to run in decentralized mode.")
+            # else:
+            self._checksum_address = checksum_address  # TODO: Check that this matches TransactingPower
         #
         # Federated
         #
@@ -230,13 +231,14 @@ class Character(Learner):
         #
         # Nicknames
         #
-        try:
-            self.nickname, self.nickname_metadata = nickname_from_seed(self.checksum_address)
-        except SigningPower.not_found_error:
-            if self.federated_only:
-                self.nickname = self.nickname_metadata = NO_NICKNAME
-            else:
-                raise
+        if checksum_address:  # TODO WHY MOE??
+            try:
+                self.nickname, self.nickname_metadata = nickname_from_seed(self.checksum_address)
+            except SigningPower.not_found_error:
+                if self.federated_only:
+                    self.nickname = self.nickname_metadata = NO_NICKNAME
+                else:
+                    raise
 
         #
         # Fleet state
diff --git a/nucypher/characters/chaotic.py b/nucypher/characters/chaotic.py
index a1590130e..7b0b275f1 100644
--- a/nucypher/characters/chaotic.py
+++ b/nucypher/characters/chaotic.py
@@ -33,13 +33,14 @@ from nucypher.characters.base import Character
 from nucypher.config.constants import TEMPLATES_DIR
 from nucypher.crypto.powers import SigningPower, TransactingPower
 from nucypher.keystore.threading import ThreadedSession
-from nucypher.network.nodes import FleetStateTracker
+from nucypher.network.nodes import FleetStateTracker, Learner
 from nucypher.network.status.status_page import MoeStatusPage
 
 
 class Moe(Character):
     """
     A monitor (lizard?)
+    # TODO: Inherit directly from Learner
     """
     banner = MOE_BANNER
 
diff --git a/nucypher/network/status/status_page.py b/nucypher/network/status/status_page.py
index 09072f66f..acae19367 100644
--- a/nucypher/network/status/status_page.py
+++ b/nucypher/network/status/status_page.py
@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ class MoeStatusPage(NetworkStatusPage):
     """
 
     def __init__(self, moe: Learner, ws_port: int, *args, **kwargs):
-        super().__init__(self, *args, **kwargs)
+        super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
 
         # modify index_string page template so that the websocket port for hendrix
         # updates can be directly provided included in javascript snippet