diff --git a/database.cc b/database.cc
index 8b0b86408f..b87cecee46 100644
--- a/database.cc
+++ b/database.cc
@@ -749,6 +749,11 @@ keyspace::get_replication_strategy() {
     return *_replication_strategy;
 }
 
+void
+keyspace::set_replication_strategy(std::unique_ptr<locator::abstract_replication_strategy> replication_strategy) {
+    _replication_strategy = std::move(replication_strategy);
+}
+
 column_family::config
 keyspace::make_column_family_config(const schema& s) const {
     column_family::config cfg;
diff --git a/database.hh b/database.hh
index 8e1bf0c4d2..ff542a6086 100644
--- a/database.hh
+++ b/database.hh
@@ -253,6 +253,9 @@ public:
 
         return make_ready_future<>();
     }
+
+    // FIXME to allow simple registration at boostrap
+    void set_replication_strategy(std::unique_ptr<locator::abstract_replication_strategy> replication_strategy);
 private:
     sstring column_family_directory(const sstring& name, utils::UUID uuid) const;
 };