diff --git a/SHAMapNodes.cpp b/SHAMapNodes.cpp
index 44ff320540..252bc0aa6e 100644
--- a/SHAMapNodes.cpp
+++ b/SHAMapNodes.cpp
@@ -251,12 +251,7 @@ bool SHAMapTreeNode::updateHash()
 				break;
 			}
 		if(!empty)
-		{
-			uint256 j[2];
-			SHA512(reinterpret_cast<unsigned char *>(mHashes), sizeof(mHashes), (unsigned char *) j);
-			nh=j[0];
-			assert(!!nh);
-		}
+			nh=Serializer::getSHA512Half(reinterpret_cast<unsigned char *>(mHashes), sizeof(mHashes));
 	}
 	else if(mType==ACCOUNT_STATE)
 	{
diff --git a/Serializer.cpp b/Serializer.cpp
index 4344020953..b487df6919 100644
--- a/Serializer.cpp
+++ b/Serializer.cpp
@@ -192,6 +192,13 @@ uint256 Serializer::getSHA512Half(const std::vector<unsigned char>& data, int si
 	return j[0];
 }
 
+uint256 Serializer::getSHA512Half(const unsigned char *data, int len)
+{
+	uint256 j[2];
+	SHA512(data, len, (unsigned char *) j);
+	return j[0];
+}
+
 bool Serializer::checkSignature(int pubkeyOffset, int signatureOffset) const
 {
 	std::vector<unsigned char> pubkey, signature;
diff --git a/Serializer.h b/Serializer.h
index e9621b288e..2cb3fe2428 100644
--- a/Serializer.h
+++ b/Serializer.h
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ class Serializer
 	uint256 getSHA256(int size=-1) const;
 	uint256 getSHA512Half(int size=-1) const;
 	static uint256 getSHA512Half(const std::vector<unsigned char>& data, int size=-1);
+	static uint256 getSHA512Half(const unsigned char *data, int len);
 
 	// totality functions
 	int getLength() const { return mData.size(); }