diff --git a/src/LedgerConsensus.cpp b/src/LedgerConsensus.cpp
index 021bdb1ea3..26330beff6 100644
--- a/src/LedgerConsensus.cpp
+++ b/src/LedgerConsensus.cpp
@@ -154,6 +154,9 @@ LedgerConsensus::LedgerConsensus(Ledger::pointer previousLedger, uint32 closeTim
 {
 	Log(lsDEBUG) << "Creating consensus object";
 	Log(lsTRACE) << "LCL:" << previousLedger->getHash().GetHex() <<", ct=" << closeTime;
+
+	// we always have an empty map
+	mComplete[uint256()] = boost::make_shared<SHAMap>();
 }
 
 void LedgerConsensus::takeInitialPosition(Ledger::pointer initialLedger)