diff --git a/src/database.py b/src/database.py
index 547abee..6c38e5b 100644
--- a/src/database.py
+++ b/src/database.py
@@ -24,3 +24,12 @@ class Database:
     
     def commit(self):
         self.db.commit()
+
+    def is_step_done(self, step_name):
+        wc_done = self.db.execute("SELECT count(*) FROM StepsDone WHERE step=?", (step_name, )).fetchone()
+        return wc_done[0] != 0
+
+    def step_is_done(self, step_name):
+        self.db.execute("INSERT INTO StepsDone (step) VALUES (?)", (step_name, ))
+        self.db.commit()
+
diff --git a/src/match_store.py b/src/match_store.py
index 9835b91..a5fe6d6 100644
--- a/src/match_store.py
+++ b/src/match_store.py
@@ -104,9 +104,7 @@ class MatchStore:
 
     def determine_colocation_dispersions(self):
         step_name = 'dispersions'
-        wc_done = self.db.execute("SELECT count(*) FROM StepsDone WHERE step=?", (step_name, )).fetchone()
-
-        if wc_done[0] == 1:
+        if self.db.is_step_done(step_name):
             self.load_dispersions()
             return
 
@@ -120,9 +118,7 @@ class MatchStore:
         print("Storing dispersions...")
         self.store_dispersions()
 
-        self.db.execute("INSERT INTO StepsDone (step) VALUES (?)", (step_name, ))
-        self.db.commit()
-
+        self.db.step_is_done(step_name)
 
     def store_dispersions(self):
         for (structure_id, component_id, lemma), disp in self.dispersions.items():
diff --git a/src/word_stats.py b/src/word_stats.py
index 341e8d6..85b83fe 100644
--- a/src/word_stats.py
+++ b/src/word_stats.py
@@ -43,8 +43,7 @@ class WordStats:
 
     def generate_renders(self):
         step_name = 'generate_renders'
-        wc_done = self.db.execute("SELECT count(*) FROM StepsDone WHERE step=?", (step_name, )).fetchone()
-        if wc_done[0] == 1:
+        if self.db.is_step_done(step_name):
             print("Skipping GenerateRenders, already complete")
             return
 
@@ -58,8 +57,7 @@ class WordStats:
                 self.db.execute("INSERT INTO WordCount (lemma, msd0, frequency) VALUES (?,?,?)",
                     (lemma, msd0, freq))
 
-        self.db.execute("INSERT INTO StepsDone (step) VALUES (?)", (step_name, ))
-        self.db.commit()
+        self.db.step_is_done(step_name)
 
     def common_lemma_msd(self, lemma, msd):
         lf = self.lemma_features