diff --git a/wire/msgcfilter.go b/wire/msgcfilter.go
index ad12cc90..bd600036 100644
--- a/wire/msgcfilter.go
+++ b/wire/msgcfilter.go
@@ -39,6 +39,22 @@ func (msg *MsgCFilter) BtcEncode(w io.Writer, pver uint32) error {
 	return WriteVarBytes(w, pver, msg.Data)
 }
 
+// Deserialize decodes a filter 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 at all. As of the time this comment was written,
+// the encoded filter 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 *MsgCFilter) 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 *MsgCFilter) Command() string {