diff --git a/source/pip/qsharp/_qsharp.py b/source/pip/qsharp/_qsharp.py
index 11fd661a92..a46bd7dee2 100644
--- a/source/pip/qsharp/_qsharp.py
+++ b/source/pip/qsharp/_qsharp.py
@@ -176,6 +176,12 @@ def _repr_mimebundle_(
     ) -> Dict[str, Dict[str, str]]:
         return {"application/x.qsharp-config": self._config}
 
+    def get_target_profile(self) -> str:
+        """
+        Returns the target profile as a string, or "unspecified" if not set.
+        """
+        return self._config.get("targetProfile", "unspecified")
+
 
 class PauliNoise(Tuple[float, float, float]):
     """
@@ -324,6 +330,19 @@ def get_interpreter() -> Interpreter:
     return _interpreter
 
 
+def get_config() -> Config:
+    """
+    Returns the Q# interpreter configuration.
+
+    :returns: The Q# interpreter configuration.
+    """
+    global _config
+    if _config is None:
+        init()
+        assert _config is not None, "Failed to initialize the Q# interpreter."
+    return _config
+
+
 class StateDump:
     """
     A state dump returned from the Q# interpreter.
@@ -787,16 +806,16 @@ def compile(entry_expr: Union[str, Callable], *args) -> QirInputData:
     """
     ipython_helper()
     start = monotonic()
-    global _config
-    target_profile = _config._config.get("targetProfile", "unspecified")
+    interpreter = get_interpreter()
+    target_profile = get_config().get_target_profile()
     telemetry_events.on_compile(target_profile)
     if isinstance(entry_expr, Callable) and hasattr(entry_expr, "__global_callable"):
         args = python_args_to_interpreter_args(args)
-        ll_str = get_interpreter().qir(
+        ll_str = interpreter.qir(
             entry_expr=None, callable=entry_expr.__global_callable, args=args
         )
     else:
-        ll_str = get_interpreter().qir(entry_expr=entry_expr)
+        ll_str = interpreter.qir(entry_expr=entry_expr)
     res = QirInputData("main", ll_str)
     durationMs = (monotonic() - start) * 1000
     telemetry_events.on_compile_end(durationMs, target_profile)