diff --git a/src/main/java/org/qortal/controller/BlockMinter.java b/src/main/java/org/qortal/controller/BlockMinter.java
index 7e3b4b9e..e2d01147 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/qortal/controller/BlockMinter.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/qortal/controller/BlockMinter.java
@@ -26,9 +26,6 @@ import org.qortal.data.block.CommonBlockData;
 import org.qortal.data.transaction.TransactionData;
 import org.qortal.network.Network;
 import org.qortal.network.Peer;
-import org.qortal.network.message.BlockSummariesV2Message;
-import org.qortal.network.message.HeightV2Message;
-import org.qortal.network.message.Message;
 import org.qortal.repository.BlockRepository;
 import org.qortal.repository.DataException;
 import org.qortal.repository.Repository;
@@ -38,6 +35,8 @@ import org.qortal.transaction.Transaction;
 import org.qortal.utils.Base58;
 import org.qortal.utils.NTP;
 
+import static org.junit.Assert.assertNotNull;
+
 // Minting new blocks
 
 public class BlockMinter extends Thread {
@@ -511,6 +510,21 @@ public class BlockMinter extends Thread {
 
 		PrivateKeyAccount mintingAccount = mintingAndOnlineAccounts[0];
 
+		Block block = mintTestingBlockRetainingTimestamps(repository, mintingAccount);
+		assertNotNull("Minted block must not be null", block);
+
+		return block;
+	}
+
+	public static Block mintTestingBlockUnvalidated(Repository repository, PrivateKeyAccount... mintingAndOnlineAccounts) throws DataException {
+		if (!BlockChain.getInstance().isTestChain())
+			throw new DataException("Ignoring attempt to mint testing block for non-test chain!");
+
+		// Ensure mintingAccount is 'online' so blocks can be minted
+		OnlineAccountsManager.getInstance().ensureTestingAccountsOnline(mintingAndOnlineAccounts);
+
+		PrivateKeyAccount mintingAccount = mintingAndOnlineAccounts[0];
+
 		return mintTestingBlockRetainingTimestamps(repository, mintingAccount);
 	}
 
@@ -518,6 +532,8 @@ public class BlockMinter extends Thread {
 		BlockData previousBlockData = repository.getBlockRepository().getLastBlock();
 
 		Block newBlock = Block.mint(repository, previousBlockData, mintingAccount);
+		if (newBlock == null)
+			return null;
 
 		// Make sure we're the only thread modifying the blockchain
 		ReentrantLock blockchainLock = Controller.getInstance().getBlockchainLock();