diff --git a/r2/r2/lib/static.py b/r2/r2/lib/static.py
index 7b70ab747..f00a0031c 100755
--- a/r2/r2/lib/static.py
+++ b/r2/r2/lib/static.py
@@ -28,6 +28,24 @@ import json
 import base64
 import shutil
 
+
+def locate_static_file(name):
+    from pylons import g
+    static_dirs = set(plugin.static_dir for plugin in g.plugins)
+    static_dirs.add(g.paths['static_files'])
+
+    for static_dir in static_dirs:
+        file_path = os.path.join(static_dir, name.lstrip('/'))
+        if os.path.exists(file_path):
+            return file_path
+
+
+def static_mtime(name):
+    path = locate_static_file(name)
+    if path:
+        return os.path.getmtime(path)
+
+
 def generate_static_name(name, base=None):
     """Generate a unique filename.
     
diff --git a/r2/r2/lib/template_helpers.py b/r2/r2/lib/template_helpers.py
index 6d1c6431d..c94ddfd0c 100755
--- a/r2/r2/lib/template_helpers.py
+++ b/r2/r2/lib/template_helpers.py
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ from filters import unsafe, websafe, _force_unicode, _force_utf8
 from r2.lib.utils import vote_hash, UrlParser, timesince, is_subdomain
 
 from r2.lib import hooks
+from r2.lib.static import static_mtime
 from r2.lib.media import s3_direct_url
 
 import babel.numbers
@@ -38,18 +39,6 @@ from pylons import g, c, request
 from pylons.i18n import _, ungettext
 
 
-def static_mtime(path):
-    static_dirs = set(plugin.static_dir for plugin in g.plugins)
-    static_dirs.add(g.paths['static_files'])
-
-    for static_dir in static_dirs:
-        file_path = os.path.join(static_dir, path.lstrip('/'))
-        try:
-            return os.path.getmtime(file_path)
-        except OSError:
-            continue
-
-
 static_text_extensions = {
     '.js': 'js',
     '.css': 'css',