diff --git a/src/bitcoind.cpp b/src/bitcoind.cpp
index 227626f40..02074f820 100644
--- a/src/bitcoind.cpp
+++ b/src/bitcoind.cpp
@@ -44,7 +44,6 @@ static void WaitForShutdown(NodeContext& node)
 static bool AppInit(int argc, char* argv[])
 {
     NodeContext node;
-    node.chain = interfaces::MakeChain(node);
 
     bool fRet = false;
 
@@ -144,7 +143,7 @@ static bool AppInit(int argc, char* argv[])
             // If locking the data directory failed, exit immediately
             return false;
         }
-        fRet = AppInitMain(context, node);
+        fRet = AppInitInterfaces(node) && AppInitMain(context, node);
     }
     catch (const std::exception& e) {
         PrintExceptionContinue(&e, "AppInit()");
diff --git a/src/init.cpp b/src/init.cpp
index ecd57960a..4fc2c6211 100644
--- a/src/init.cpp
+++ b/src/init.cpp
@@ -1229,6 +1229,17 @@ bool AppInitLockDataDirectory()
     return true;
 }
 
+bool AppInitInterfaces(NodeContext& node)
+{
+    node.chain = interfaces::MakeChain(node);
+    // Create client interfaces for wallets that are supposed to be loaded
+    // according to -wallet and -disablewallet options. This only constructs
+    // the interfaces, it doesn't load wallet data. Wallets actually get loaded
+    // when load() and start() interface methods are called below.
+    g_wallet_init_interface.Construct(node);
+    return true;
+}
+
 bool AppInitMain(const util::Ref& context, NodeContext& node, interfaces::BlockAndHeaderTipInfo* tip_info)
 {
     const ArgsManager& args = *Assert(node.args);
@@ -1318,12 +1329,6 @@ bool AppInitMain(const util::Ref& context, NodeContext& node, interfaces::BlockA
 
     GetMainSignals().RegisterBackgroundSignalScheduler(*node.scheduler);
 
-    // Create client interfaces for wallets that are supposed to be loaded
-    // according to -wallet and -disablewallet options. This only constructs
-    // the interfaces, it doesn't load wallet data. Wallets actually get loaded
-    // when load() and start() interface methods are called below.
-    g_wallet_init_interface.Construct(node);
-
     /* Register RPC commands regardless of -server setting so they will be
      * available in the GUI RPC console even if external calls are disabled.
      */
diff --git a/src/init.h b/src/init.h
index ce12a80dc..679e875da 100644
--- a/src/init.h
+++ b/src/init.h
@@ -52,6 +52,10 @@ bool AppInitSanityChecks();
  * @pre Parameters should be parsed and config file should be read, AppInitSanityChecks should have been called.
  */
 bool AppInitLockDataDirectory();
+/**
+ * Initialize node and wallet interface pointers. Has no prerequisites or side effects besides allocating memory.
+ */
+bool AppInitInterfaces(NodeContext& node);
 /**
  * Bitcoin core main initialization.
  * @note This should only be done after daemonization. Call Shutdown() if this function fails.
diff --git a/src/interfaces/node.cpp b/src/interfaces/node.cpp
index 206262eb0..73171686e 100644
--- a/src/interfaces/node.cpp
+++ b/src/interfaces/node.cpp
@@ -64,11 +64,10 @@ public:
     bool baseInitialize() override
     {
         return AppInitBasicSetup(gArgs) && AppInitParameterInteraction(gArgs) && AppInitSanityChecks() &&
-               AppInitLockDataDirectory();
+               AppInitLockDataDirectory() && AppInitInterfaces(*m_context);
     }
     bool appInitMain(interfaces::BlockAndHeaderTipInfo* tip_info) override
     {
-        m_context->chain = MakeChain(*m_context);
         return AppInitMain(m_context_ref, *m_context, tip_info);
     }
     void appShutdown() override