diff --git a/exchange/bitswap/bitswap.go b/exchange/bitswap/bitswap.go
index fe20a406a..cea618970 100644
--- a/exchange/bitswap/bitswap.go
+++ b/exchange/bitswap/bitswap.go
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ func New(parent context.Context, p peer.ID, network bsnet.BitSwapNetwork,
 	}()
 
 	bs := &bitswap{
+		self:          p,
 		blockstore:    bstore,
 		cancelFunc:    cancelFunc,
 		notifications: notif,
@@ -79,6 +80,9 @@ func New(parent context.Context, p peer.ID, network bsnet.BitSwapNetwork,
 // bitswap instances implement the bitswap protocol.
 type bitswap struct {
 
+	// the ID of the peer to act on behalf of
+	self peer.ID
+
 	// network delivers messages on behalf of the session
 	network bsnet.BitSwapNetwork