diff --git a/functional_tests/base.py b/functional_tests/base.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..2edca5d693f3fead1e5578c1761a8b842011a1f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/functional_tests/base.py
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+#
+# Copyright (C) 2018 Branko Majic
+#
+# This file is part of Gimmecert.
+#
+# Gimmecert is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+# under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free
+# Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any
+# later version.
+#
+# Gimmecert is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but
+# WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or
+# FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License for more
+# details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with
+# Gimmecert.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+#
+
+
+import subprocess
+
+
+def run_command(command, *args):
+    """
+    Helper function that runs the specified command, and takes care of
+    some tedious work, like converting the stdout and stderr to
+    correct encoding etc.
+
+    This is essentially a small wrapper around the subprocess.Popen.
+
+    :param command: Command that should be run.
+    :type command: str
+
+    :param *args: Zero or more arguments to pass to the command.
+    :type *args: str
+
+    :returns: (stdout, stderr, exit_code) -- Standard output, error, and exit code captured from running the command.
+    :rtype: (str, str, int)
+    """
+
+    invocation = [command]
+    invocation.extend(args)
+
+    process = subprocess.Popen(invocation, stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE)
+    stdout, stderr = process.communicate()
+    stdout, stderr = stdout.decode(), stderr.decode()
+
+    return stdout, stderr, process.returncode
diff --git a/functional_tests/test_help.py b/functional_tests/test_help.py
index 43c78b15cd1208ff71e0708d365f7a87dc311a7a..c8399def54f233ce5f331cbfdd0db07b68d3a6dd 100644
--- a/functional_tests/test_help.py
+++ b/functional_tests/test_help.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 #
 
 
-import subprocess
+from .base import run_command
 
 
 def test_cli_works():
@@ -34,43 +34,37 @@ def test_cli_works():
     # Before moving on, John decides to quickly test if the package
     # has been installed correctly. Assuming that the command is the
     # same as package name, he runs it.
-    process = subprocess.Popen(["gimmecert"], stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE)
-    stdout, stderr = process.communicate()
-    stdout, stderr = stdout.decode(), stderr.decode()
+    stdout, stderr, returncode = run_command("gimmecert")
 
     # John has a look at output, and notices that no error has been
     # reported. He also verifies the return code is non-zero, just to
     # be on the safe side.
     assert stderr == ''
-    assert process.returncode == 0
+    assert returncode == 0
 
 
 def test_usage_help_shown():
     # Since John feels a bit lazy, he decides to skip reading the
     # documentation, and just run the tool to see if he gets any
     # useful help.
-    process = subprocess.Popen(["gimmecert"], stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE)
-    stdout, stderr = process.communicate()
-    stdout, stderr = stdout.decode(), stderr.decode()
+    stdout, stderr, returncode = run_command("gimmecert")
 
     # John is presented with short usage instructions.
     assert "usage: gimmecert [-h]" in stdout
     assert stderr == ''
-    assert process.returncode == 0
+    assert returncode == 0
 
 
 def test_extended_help_shown():
     # John is still not quite sure how the tool works. Therefore he
     # decides to try out the -h flag to the command.
-    process = subprocess.Popen(["gimmecert", "-h"], stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE)
-    stdout_h_flag, stderr_h_flag = process.communicate()
-    stdout_h_flag, stderr_h_flag = stdout_h_flag.decode(), stderr_h_flag.decode()
+    stdout_h_flag, stderr_h_flag, returncode_h_flag = run_command("gimmecert", "-h")
 
     # In doing so, John is presented with much more extensive
     # instructions that provide him with better idea on how to use the
     # tool.
     assert stderr_h_flag == ''
-    assert process.returncode == 0
+    assert returncode_h_flag == 0
     assert "usage: gimmecert [-h]" in stdout_h_flag
     assert "Examples:" in stdout_h_flag
     assert "optional arguments" in stdout_h_flag
@@ -82,12 +76,10 @@ def test_extended_help_shown():
 
     # John also notices the help command in the list. He tries that
     # one out as well.
-    process = subprocess.Popen(["gimmecert", "help"], stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE)
-    stdout_help, stderr_help = process.communicate()
-    stdout_help, stderr_help = stdout_help.decode(), stderr_help.decode()
+    stdout_help, stderr_help, returncode_help = run_command("gimmecert", "help")
 
     # John is presented with identical results as when running just
     # with the -h flag.
-    assert process.returncode == 0
+    assert returncode_help == 0
     assert stdout_help == stdout_h_flag
     assert stderr_help == stderr_h_flag