diff --git a/wire/msgcfilterheader.go b/wire/msgcfilterheader.go
index ce8d102a..ca4908e9 100644
--- a/wire/msgcfilterheader.go
+++ b/wire/msgcfilterheader.go
@@ -41,6 +41,22 @@ func (msg *MsgCFilterHeader) BtcEncode(w io.Writer, pver uint32) error {
 	return WriteVarBytes(w, pver, msg.Data)
 }
 
+// Deserialize decodes a filter header from r into the receiver using a format
+// that is suitable for long-term storage such as a database. This function
+// differs from BtcDecode in that BtcDecode decodes from the bitcoin wire
+// protocol as it was sent across the network.  The wire encoding can
+// technically differ depending on the protocol version and doesn't even really
+// need to match the format of a stored filter header at all. As of the time
+// this comment was written, the encoded filter header is the same in both
+// instances, but there is a distinct difference and separating the two allows
+// the API to be flexible enough to deal with changes.
+func (msg *MsgCFilterHeader) Deserialize(r io.Reader) error {
+	// At the current time, there is no difference between the wire encoding
+	// and the stable long-term storage format.  As a result, make use of
+	// BtcDecode.
+	return msg.BtcDecode(r, 0)
+}
+
 // Command returns the protocol command string for the message.  This is part
 // of the Message interface implementation.
 func (msg *MsgCFilterHeader) Command() string {