diff --git a/src/test/fuzz/base_encode_decode.cpp b/src/test/fuzz/base_encode_decode.cpp
index 8d49f93c2f8..f7b1a030072 100644
--- a/src/test/fuzz/base_encode_decode.cpp
+++ b/src/test/fuzz/base_encode_decode.cpp
@@ -14,6 +14,11 @@
 #include <string>
 #include <vector>
 
+void initialize()
+{
+    static const ECCVerifyHandle verify_handle;
+}
+
 void test_one_input(const std::vector<uint8_t>& buffer)
 {
     const std::string random_encoded_string(buffer.begin(), buffer.end());