diff --git a/protocols/inspircd.py b/protocols/inspircd.py
index f0122c9..c15f5ce 100644
--- a/protocols/inspircd.py
+++ b/protocols/inspircd.py
@@ -4,9 +4,11 @@ import os
 import re
 from copy import copy
 
-sys.path.append(os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))))
+curdir = os.path.dirname(__file__)
+sys.path += [curdir, os.path.dirname(curdir)]
 import utils
 from log import log
+import proto_common
 
 from classes import *
 
@@ -597,26 +599,7 @@ def handle_events(irc, data):
             # Sanity check: set this AFTER we fetch the capabilities for the network!
             irc.connected.set()
     try:
-        real_args = []
-        for idx, arg in enumerate(args):
-            real_args.append(arg)
-            # If the argument starts with ':' and ISN'T the first argument.
-            # The first argument is used for denoting the source UID/SID.
-            if arg.startswith(':') and idx != 0:
-                # : is used for multi-word arguments that last until the end
-                # of the message. We can use list splicing here to turn them all
-                # into one argument.
-                # Set the last arg to a joined version of the remaining args
-                arg = args[idx:]
-                arg = ' '.join(arg)[1:]
-                # Cut the original argument list right before the multi-word arg,
-                # and then append the multi-word arg.
-                real_args = args[:idx]
-                real_args.append(arg)
-                break
-        real_args[0] = real_args[0].split(':', 1)[1]
-        args = real_args
-
+        args = proto_common.parseTS6Args(args)
         numeric = args[0]
         command = args[1]
         args = args[2:]
diff --git a/protocols/proto_common.py b/protocols/proto_common.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..11ed38b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/protocols/proto_common.py
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+def parseArgs(args):
+    """<arg list>
+    Parses a string of RFC1459-style arguments split into a list, where ":" may
+    be used for multi-word arguments that last until the end of a line.
+    """
+    real_args = []
+    for idx, arg in enumerate(args):
+        real_args.append(arg)
+        # If the argument starts with ':' and ISN'T the first argument.
+        # The first argument is used for denoting the source UID/SID.
+        if arg.startswith(':') and idx != 0:
+            # : is used for multi-word arguments that last until the end
+            # of the message. We can use list splicing here to turn them all
+            # into one argument.
+            # Set the last arg to a joined version of the remaining args
+            arg = args[idx:]
+            arg = ' '.join(arg)[1:]
+            # Cut the original argument list right before the multi-word arg,
+            # and then append the multi-word arg.
+            real_args = args[:idx]
+            real_args.append(arg)
+            break
+    return real_args
+
+
+def parseTS6Args(args):
+    """<arg list>
+
+    Similar to parseArgs(), but stripping leading colons from the first argument
+    of a line (usually the sender field)."""
+    args = parseArgs(args)
+    args[0] = args[0].split(':', 1)[1]
+    return args
+
diff --git a/protocols/ts6.py b/protocols/ts6.py
index 6f49d00..a28ab8d 100644
--- a/protocols/ts6.py
+++ b/protocols/ts6.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ from inspircd import nickClient, kickServer, kickClient, _sendKick, quitClient,
 from inspircd import handle_privmsg, handle_kill, handle_kick, handle_error, \
     handle_quit, handle_nick, handle_save, handle_squit, handle_mode, handle_topic, \
     handle_notice
+import proto_common
 
 casemapping = 'rfc1459'
 hook_map = {'SJOIN': 'JOIN', 'TB': 'TOPIC', 'TMODE': 'MODE', 'BMASK': 'MODE'}
@@ -577,25 +578,7 @@ def handle_events(irc, data):
         log.debug('(%s) Starting delay to send ENDBURST', irc.name)
         endburst_timer.start()
     try:
-        real_args = []
-        for idx, arg in enumerate(args):
-            real_args.append(arg)
-            # If the argument starts with ':' and ISN'T the first argument.
-            # The first argument is used for denoting the source UID/SID.
-            if arg.startswith(':') and idx != 0:
-                # : is used for multi-word arguments that last until the end
-                # of the message. We can use list splicing here to turn them all
-                # into one argument.
-                # Set the last arg to a joined version of the remaining args
-                arg = args[idx:]
-                arg = ' '.join(arg)[1:]
-                # Cut the original argument list right before the multi-word arg,
-                # and then append the multi-word arg.
-                real_args = args[:idx]
-                real_args.append(arg)
-                break
-        real_args[0] = real_args[0].split(':', 1)[1]
-        args = real_args
+        args = proto_common.parseTS6Args(args)
 
         numeric = args[0]
         command = args[1]