diff --git a/src/validation.cpp b/src/validation.cpp
index 3fef0e29341..ec9f9c6100d 100644
--- a/src/validation.cpp
+++ b/src/validation.cpp
@@ -220,6 +220,8 @@ private:
     void EraseBlockData(CBlockIndex* index) EXCLUSIVE_LOCKS_REQUIRED(cs_main);
 } g_chainstate;
 
+CChain& ChainActive() { return g_chainstate.m_chain; }
+
 /**
  * Mutex to guard access to validation specific variables, such as reading
  * or changing the chainstate.
diff --git a/src/validation.h b/src/validation.h
index 7ab6adaf331..cec6c7d0036 100644
--- a/src/validation.h
+++ b/src/validation.h
@@ -438,6 +438,9 @@ void ResetBlockFailureFlags(CBlockIndex* pindex) EXCLUSIVE_LOCKS_REQUIRED(cs_mai
 /** The currently-connected chain of blocks (protected by cs_main). */
 extern CChain& chainActive;
 
+/** @returns the most-work chain. */
+CChain& ChainActive();
+
 /** Global variable that points to the coins database (protected by cs_main) */
 extern std::unique_ptr<CCoinsViewDB> pcoinsdbview;