diff --git a/marginaltool b/marginaltool
index 6eac1c2..9d07700 100755
--- a/marginaltool
+++ b/marginaltool
@@ -33,7 +33,8 @@ def init(args):
                 args.certfile = config.get(args.url, 'certfile')
             if not args.keyfile or not args.certfile:
                 raise Exception('key or certificate file not specified')
-            args.cert = ''.join(line.strip() for line in open(args.certfile) if not line.startswith('-----'))
+            cert = open(args.certfile).read()
+            args.cert = ''.join(cert[cert.find('-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----' + 27):cert.find('-----END CERTIFICATE-----')])
 
         case 'pkcs11':
             if not args.id: