diff --git a/rpcserver.go b/rpcserver.go
index 999282199..402c239d8 100644
--- a/rpcserver.go
+++ b/rpcserver.go
@@ -3372,8 +3372,12 @@ func handleVerifyMessage(s *rpcServer, cmd interface{}, closeChan <-chan struct{
 
 	// Validate the signature - this just shows that it was valid at all.
 	// we will compare it with the key next.
+	var buf bytes.Buffer
+	wire.WriteVarString(&buf, 0, "Bitcoin Signed Message:\n")
+	wire.WriteVarString(&buf, 0, c.Message)
+	expectedMessageHash := wire.DoubleSha256(buf.Bytes())
 	pk, wasCompressed, err := btcec.RecoverCompact(btcec.S256(), sig,
-		wire.DoubleSha256([]byte("Bitcoin Signed Message:\n"+c.Message)))
+		expectedMessageHash)
 	if err != nil {
 		// Mirror Bitcoin Core behavior, which treats error in
 		// RecoverCompact as invalid signature.