diff --git a/src/avalanche/peermanager.h b/src/avalanche/peermanager.h
--- a/src/avalanche/peermanager.h
+++ b/src/avalanche/peermanager.h
@@ -190,6 +190,8 @@
 
 private:
     PeerSet::iterator fetchOrCreatePeer(const Proof &proof);
+    PeerSet::iterator fetchOrCreatePeer(const Proof &proof,
+                                        ProofValidationState &state);
     bool addNodeToPeer(const PeerSet::iterator &it);
     bool removeNodeFromPeer(const PeerSet::iterator &it, uint32_t count = 1);
 };
diff --git a/src/avalanche/peermanager.cpp b/src/avalanche/peermanager.cpp
--- a/src/avalanche/peermanager.cpp
+++ b/src/avalanche/peermanager.cpp
@@ -187,6 +187,13 @@
 
 PeerManager::PeerSet::iterator
 PeerManager::fetchOrCreatePeer(const Proof &proof) {
+    ProofValidationState state;
+    return fetchOrCreatePeer(proof, state);
+}
+
+PeerManager::PeerSet::iterator
+PeerManager::fetchOrCreatePeer(const Proof &proof,
+                               ProofValidationState &state) {
     {
         // Check if we already know of that peer.
         auto &pview = peers.get<proof_index>();
@@ -201,7 +208,6 @@
         LOCK(cs_main);
         const CCoinsViewCache &coins = ::ChainstateActive().CoinsTip();
 
-        ProofValidationState state;
         if (!proof.verify(state, coins)) {
             return peers.end();
         }