diff --git a/test/functional/abc_p2p_proof_inventory.py b/test/functional/abc_p2p_proof_inventory.py
--- a/test/functional/abc_p2p_proof_inventory.py
+++ b/test/functional/abc_p2p_proof_inventory.py
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@
 
                 self.restart_node(node.index, self.extra_args[node.index] + [
                     "-avaproof={}".format(proof.serialize().hex()),
-                    "-avamasterkey={}".format(privkey)
+                    "-avamasterkey={}".format(bytes_to_wif(privkey.get_bytes()))
                 ])
 
                 # Connect a block to make the proof be added to our pool
diff --git a/test/functional/test_framework/avatools.py b/test/functional/test_framework/avatools.py
--- a/test/functional/test_framework/avatools.py
+++ b/test/functional/test_framework/avatools.py
@@ -32,7 +32,6 @@
     satoshi_round,
     wait_until,
 )
-from .wallet_util import bytes_to_wif
 
 
 def create_coinbase_stakes(
@@ -275,5 +274,4 @@
     proof_hex = node.buildavalancheproof(
         42, 2000000000, pubkey.get_bytes().hex(), stakes)
 
-    return bytes_to_wif(privkey.get_bytes()), FromHex(
-        AvalancheProof(), proof_hex)
+    return privkey, FromHex(AvalancheProof(), proof_hex)