diff --git a/src/base/snark0.ml b/src/base/snark0.ml
index 9521fad9f..202aad44f 100644
--- a/src/base/snark0.ml
+++ b/src/base/snark0.ml
@@ -724,6 +724,10 @@ module Run = struct
            ~eval_constraints:false ~num_inputs:0 ~next_auxiliary:(ref 0)
            ~with_witness:false ~stack:[] ~is_running:false () )
 
+    let get_state () = !state
+
+    let set_state s = state := s
+
     let dump () = Run_state.dump !state
 
     let in_prover () : bool = Run_state.has_witness !state
diff --git a/src/base/snark_intf.ml b/src/base/snark_intf.ml
index a54d6d418..242dac132 100644
--- a/src/base/snark_intf.ml
+++ b/src/base/snark_intf.ml
@@ -1122,8 +1122,10 @@ module type Run_basic = sig
   (** The finite field over which the R1CS operates. *)
   type field
 
-  (* a reference to the internal Run_state.t *)
-  val state : field Run_state.t ref
+  (* get and set the internal Run_state.t *)
+  val get_state : unit -> field Run_state.t
+
+  val set_state : field Run_state.t -> unit
 
   module Bigint : sig
     include Snarky_intf.Bigint_intf.Extended with type field := field