diff --git a/dmq-node/changelog.d/20260121_182016_crocodile-dentist_volatile_tip.md b/dmq-node/changelog.d/20260121_182016_crocodile-dentist_volatile_tip.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..de486cf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/dmq-node/changelog.d/20260121_182016_crocodile-dentist_volatile_tip.md
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+<!--
+A new scriv changelog fragment.
+
+Uncomment the section that is right (remove the HTML comment wrapper).
+For top level release notes, leave all the headers commented out.
+-->
+
+<!--
+### Breaking
+
+- A bullet item for the Breaking category.
+
+-->
+
+### Non-Breaking
+
+- For pre-release development and testing purposes, use volatile tip
+  in local state query client.
diff --git a/dmq-node/src/DMQ/NodeToClient/LocalStateQueryClient.hs b/dmq-node/src/DMQ/NodeToClient/LocalStateQueryClient.hs
index 0976fbd..c9f7265 100644
--- a/dmq-node/src/DMQ/NodeToClient/LocalStateQueryClient.hs
+++ b/dmq-node/src/DMQ/NodeToClient/LocalStateQueryClient.hs
@@ -88,7 +88,8 @@ cardanoClient tracer StakePools { stakePoolsVar } nextEpochVar =
   where
     idle mSystemStart = do
       traceWith tracer $ Acquiring mSystemStart
-      pure $ SendMsgAcquire ImmutableTip acquire
+      -- FIXME: switched to volatiletip for prerelease testing purposes
+      pure $ SendMsgAcquire VolatileTip {-ImmutableTip-} acquire
       where
         acquire :: ClientStAcquiring block point query m Void
         acquire = ClientStAcquiring {