diff --git a/src/addrdb.h b/src/addrdb.h
--- a/src/addrdb.h
+++ b/src/addrdb.h
@@ -80,4 +80,14 @@
                  const fs::path &anchors_db_path,
                  const std::vector<CAddress> &anchors);
 
+/**
+ * Read the anchor IP address database (anchors.dat)
+ *
+ * Deleting anchors.dat is intentional as it avoids renewed peering to anchors
+ * after an unclean shutdown and thus potential exploitation of the anchor peer
+ * policy.
+ */
+std::vector<CAddress> ReadAnchors(const CChainParams &chainParams,
+                                  const fs::path &anchors_db_path);
+
 #endif // BITCOIN_ADDRDB_H
diff --git a/src/addrdb.cpp b/src/addrdb.cpp
--- a/src/addrdb.cpp
+++ b/src/addrdb.cpp
@@ -163,3 +163,17 @@
         anchors.size()));
     SerializeFileDB(chainParams, "anchors", anchors_db_path, anchors);
 }
+
+std::vector<CAddress> ReadAnchors(const CChainParams &chainParams,
+                                  const fs::path &anchors_db_path) {
+    std::vector<CAddress> anchors;
+    if (DeserializeFileDB(chainParams, anchors_db_path, anchors)) {
+        LogPrintf("Loaded %i addresses from %s\n", anchors.size(),
+                  anchors_db_path.filename());
+    } else {
+        anchors.clear();
+    }
+
+    fs::remove(anchors_db_path);
+    return anchors;
+}