diff --git a/httpsig/sign.py b/httpsig/sign.py
index 0f984fd..0b1ec07 100644
--- a/httpsig/sign.py
+++ b/httpsig/sign.py
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ def sign(self, data):
             signed = self._sign_rsa(data)
         elif self._hash:
             signed = self._sign_hmac(data)
-        elif isinstance(self.sign_algorithm, SignAlgorithm):
+        elif issubclass(type(self.sign_algorithm), SignAlgorithm):
             signed = self.sign_algorithm.sign(self.secret, data)
         if not signed:
             raise SystemError('No valid encryptor found.')