diff --git a/benches/max_perf.rs b/benches/max_perf.rs
index 1d80cbbe..4c18b4a3 100644
--- a/benches/max_perf.rs
+++ b/benches/max_perf.rs
@@ -11,12 +11,6 @@ use solana_sdk::{
     transaction::Transaction,
 };
 
-fn read_counter_program() -> Vec<u8> {
-    let mut so_path = PathBuf::from(env!("CARGO_MANIFEST_DIR"));
-    so_path.push("test_programs/target/deploy/counter.so");
-    std::fs::read(so_path).unwrap()
-}
-
 const NUM_GREETINGS: u8 = 255;
 
 fn make_tx(
@@ -45,8 +39,9 @@ fn criterion_benchmark(c: &mut Criterion) {
     let payer_kp = Keypair::new();
     let payer_pk = payer_kp.pubkey();
     let program_id = Pubkey::new_unique();
-
-    svm.add_program(program_id, &read_counter_program());
+    let mut so_path = PathBuf::from(env!("CARGO_MANIFEST_DIR"));
+    so_path.push("test_programs/target/deploy/counter.so");
+    svm.add_program_from_file(program_id, &so_path).unwrap();
     svm.airdrop(&payer_pk, 1000000000).unwrap();
     let counter_address = Pubkey::new_unique();
     let latest_blockhash = svm.latest_blockhash();
diff --git a/src/lib.rs b/src/lib.rs
index 9522cede..791b0bf4 100644
--- a/src/lib.rs
+++ b/src/lib.rs
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ use solana_sdk::{
     transaction_context::{ExecutionRecord, IndexOfAccount, TransactionContext},
 };
 use solana_system_program::{get_system_account_kind, SystemAccountKind};
-use std::{cell::RefCell, rc::Rc, sync::Arc};
+use std::{cell::RefCell, path::Path, rc::Rc, sync::Arc};
 use utils::construct_instructions_account;
 
 use crate::{
@@ -274,6 +274,16 @@ impl LiteSVM {
             .unwrap();
     }
 
+    pub fn add_program_from_file(
+        &mut self,
+        program_id: Pubkey,
+        path: impl AsRef<Path>,
+    ) -> Result<(), std::io::Error> {
+        let bytes = std::fs::read(path)?;
+        self.add_program(program_id, &bytes);
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
     pub fn add_program(&mut self, program_id: Pubkey, program_bytes: &[u8]) {
         let program_len = program_bytes.len();
         let lamports = self.minimum_balance_for_rent_exemption(program_len);
diff --git a/tests/fees.rs b/tests/fees.rs
index 7616056c..cfb51d25 100644
--- a/tests/fees.rs
+++ b/tests/fees.rs
@@ -37,12 +37,6 @@ fn test_insufficient_funds_for_rent() {
     assert!(svm.get_transaction(&signature).is_none());
 }
 
-fn read_failure_program() -> Vec<u8> {
-    let mut so_path = PathBuf::from(env!("CARGO_MANIFEST_DIR"));
-    so_path.push("test_programs/target/deploy/failure.so");
-    std::fs::read(so_path).unwrap()
-}
-
 #[test_log::test]
 fn test_fees_failed_transaction() {
     let from_keypair = Keypair::new();
@@ -50,7 +44,9 @@ fn test_fees_failed_transaction() {
 
     let mut svm = LiteSVM::new();
     let program_id = pubkey!("HvrRMSshMx3itvsyWDnWg2E3cy5h57iMaR7oVxSZJDSA");
-    svm.add_program(program_id, &read_failure_program());
+    let mut so_path = PathBuf::from(env!("CARGO_MANIFEST_DIR"));
+    so_path.push("test_programs/target/deploy/failure.so");
+    svm.add_program_from_file(program_id, &so_path).unwrap();
     let initial_balance = 1_000_000_000;
     svm.airdrop(&from, initial_balance).unwrap();
     let instruction = Instruction {