diff --git a/zaza/openstack/charm_tests/rabbitmq_server/utils.py b/zaza/openstack/charm_tests/rabbitmq_server/utils.py
index 450855a..fd08ee5 100644
--- a/zaza/openstack/charm_tests/rabbitmq_server/utils.py
+++ b/zaza/openstack/charm_tests/rabbitmq_server/utils.py
@@ -343,3 +343,40 @@ def connect_amqp_by_unit(unit, ssl=False,
             return None
 
 
+def publish_amqp_message_by_unit(unit, message,
+                                 queue="test", ssl=False,
+                                 username="testuser1",
+                                 password="changeme",
+                                 port=None):
+    """Publish an amqp message to a rmq juju unit.
+    :param unit: unit pointer
+    :param message: amqp message string
+    :param queue: message queue, default to test
+    :param username: amqp user name, default to testuser1
+    :param password: amqp user password
+    :param ssl: boolean, default to False
+    :param port: amqp port, use defaults if None
+    :returns: None.  Raises exception if publish failed.
+    """
+    logging.debug('Publishing message to {} queue:\n{}'.format(queue,
+                                                               message))
+    connection = connect_amqp_by_unit(unit, ssl=ssl,
+                                      port=port,
+                                      username=username,
+                                      password=password)
+
+    # NOTE(beisner): extra debug here re: pika hang potential:
+    #   https://github.com/pika/pika/issues/297
+    #   https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/rabbitmq-users/Ja0iyfF0Szw
+    logging.debug('Defining channel...')
+    channel = connection.channel()
+    logging.debug('Declaring queue...')
+    channel.queue_declare(queue=queue, auto_delete=False, durable=True)
+    logging.debug('Publishing message...')
+    channel.basic_publish(exchange='', routing_key=queue, body=message)
+    logging.debug('Closing channel...')
+    channel.close()
+    logging.debug('Closing connection...')
+    connection.close()
+
+