working, huzzah!

certificates.js

@@ -214,6 +214,7 @@ C._check = function(db, args) {
 		certificate: args.certificate
 	};
 	return db.check(query).then(function(pems) {
+    console.log('[debug] has pems? (yes)', pems);
 		if (!pems) {
 			return null;
 		}
@@ -234,6 +235,7 @@ C._check = function(db, args) {
 
 		return U._getKeypair(db, args.subject, query)
 			.then(function(keypair) {
+        console.log('[debug get keypair]', Object.keys(keypair));
 				pems.privkey = keypair.privateKeyPem;
 				return pems;
 			})

greenlock.js

@@ -310,7 +310,14 @@ G.create = function(gconf) {
 							challenges,
 							account,
 							args
-						);
+						).then(function(pems) {
+							if (!pems.privkey) {
+								throw new Error(
+									'missing private key, which is kinda important'
+								);
+							}
+							return pems;
+						});
 					});
 				});
 			});

utils.js

@@ -263,5 +263,7 @@ U._getOrCreateKeypair = function(db, subject, query, keyType, mustExist) {
 };
 
 U._getKeypair = function(db, subject, query) {
-	return U._getOrCreateKeypair(db, subject, query, '', true);
+	return U._getOrCreateKeypair(db, subject, query, '', true).then(function (result) {
+    return result.keypair;
+  });
 };