def METHOD_NAME(config: CharacterConfiguration, json_ipc: bool) -> None:
    # TODO: Remove this block after deprecating 'operator_address'
    from nucypher.config.characters import UrsulaConfiguration
    if isinstance(config, UrsulaConfiguration):
        account = config.operator_address
    else:
        account = config.checksum_address
    eth_password_is_needed = (
        not config.signer.is_device(account=account) and not config.dev_mode
    )
    __password = None
    if eth_password_is_needed:
        if json_ipc and not os.environ.get(config.SIGNER_ENVVAR):
            raise ValueError(f'{config.SIGNER_ENVVAR} is required to use JSON IPC mode.')
        __password = get_client_password(checksum_address=account, envvar=config.SIGNER_ENVVAR)
    config.signer.unlock_account(account=config.checksum_address, password=__password)