diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index e8c149a48..6cde271da 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -17,6 +17,10 @@ This project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0.htm
 
 ## [Unreleased](https://github.com/o1-labs/o1js/compare/450943...HEAD)
 
+### Added
+
+- Added `VerificationKey.dummy()` method to get the dummy value of a verification key https://github.com/o1-labs/o1js/pull/1852 [@rpanic](https://github.com/rpanic)
+
 ## [1.8.0](https://github.com/o1-labs/o1js/compare/5006e4f...450943) - 2024-09-18
 
 ### Added
diff --git a/src/lib/mina/zkapp.ts b/src/lib/mina/zkapp.ts
index 7c6402164..aaa444b09 100644
--- a/src/lib/mina/zkapp.ts
+++ b/src/lib/mina/zkapp.ts
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ import {
   methodArgumentTypesAndValues,
   MethodInterface,
   sortMethodArguments,
+  VerificationKey,
 } from '../proof-system/zkprogram.js';
 import { Proof } from '../proof-system/proof.js';
 import { PublicKey } from '../provable/crypto/signature.js';
@@ -711,9 +712,7 @@ class SmartContract extends SmartContractBase {
       ._verificationKey;
     if (verificationKey === undefined) {
       if (!Mina.getProofsEnabled()) {
-        await initializeBindings();
-        let [, data, hash] = Pickles.dummyVerificationKey();
-        verificationKey = { data, hash: Field(hash) };
+        verificationKey = await VerificationKey.dummy();
       } else {
         throw Error(
           `\`${this.constructor.name}.deploy()\` was called but no verification key was found.\n` +
diff --git a/src/lib/proof-system/zkprogram.ts b/src/lib/proof-system/zkprogram.ts
index dea019650..6c3165f99 100644
--- a/src/lib/proof-system/zkprogram.ts
+++ b/src/lib/proof-system/zkprogram.ts
@@ -460,7 +460,16 @@ class VerificationKey extends Struct({
   toJSON({ data }: { data: string }) {
     return data;
   },
-}) {}
+}) {
+  static async dummy(): Promise<VerificationKey> {
+    await initializeBindings();
+    const [, data, hash] = Pickles.dummyVerificationKey();
+    return new VerificationKey({
+      data,
+      hash: Field(hash),
+    });
+  }
+}
 
 function sortMethodArguments(
   programName: string,