diff --git a/services/backup/src/blob/mod.rs b/services/backup/src/blob/mod.rs
index 041ff9a9d..b691359d1 100644
--- a/services/backup/src/blob/mod.rs
+++ b/services/backup/src/blob/mod.rs
@@ -1,10 +1,22 @@
 mod proto {
   tonic::include_proto!("blob");
 }
+use proto::blob_service_client::BlobServiceClient;
 pub use proto::put_request::Data as PutRequestData;
 pub use proto::{PutRequest, PutResponse};
 
 mod downloader;
 mod uploader;
 pub use downloader::*;
 pub use uploader::*;
+
+pub type BlobClient = BlobServiceClient<tonic::transport::Channel>;
+
+/// Creates a new Blob service client instance. It does not attempt to connect
+/// to the service until first use.
+pub fn init_blob_client() -> BlobClient {
+  let service_url = &crate::CONFIG.blob_service_url;
+  let channel =
+    tonic::transport::Channel::from_static(service_url).connect_lazy();
+  BlobServiceClient::new(channel)
+}