diff --git a/dcrec/secp256k1/modnscalar.go b/dcrec/secp256k1/modnscalar.go
index b4f7b5bb..218cade2 100644
--- a/dcrec/secp256k1/modnscalar.go
+++ b/dcrec/secp256k1/modnscalar.go
@@ -350,12 +350,18 @@ func (s *ModNScalar) SetByteSlice(b []byte) bool {
 	return result != 0
 }
 
-// PutBytes unpacks the scalar to a 32-byte big-endian value using the passed
-// byte array in constant time.  There is a similar function, Bytes, which
-// unpacks the scalar into a new array and returns that.  This version is
-// provided since it can be useful to cut down on the number of allocations by
-// allowing the caller to reuse a buffer.
-func (s *ModNScalar) PutBytes(b *[32]byte) {
+// PutBytesUnchecked unpacks the scalar to a 32-byte big-endian value directly
+// into the passed byte slice in constant time.  The target slice must must have
+// at least 32 bytes available or it will panic.
+//
+// There is a similar function, PutBytes, which unpacks the scalar into a
+// 32-byte array directly.  This version is provided since it can be useful to
+// write directly into part of a larger buffer without needing a separate
+// allocation.
+//
+// Preconditions:
+//   - The target slice MUST have at least 32 bytes available
+func (s *ModNScalar) PutBytesUnchecked(b []byte) {
 	// Unpack the 256 total bits from the 8 uint32 words.  This could be done
 	// with a for loop, but benchmarks show this unrolled version is about 2
 	// times faster than the variant which uses a loop.
@@ -393,13 +399,29 @@ func (s *ModNScalar) PutBytes(b *[32]byte) {
 	b[0] = byte(s.n[7] >> 24)
 }
 
-// Bytes unpacks the scalar to a 32-byte big-endian value in constant time.  See
-// PutBytes for a variant that allows a target byte array to be passed which can
-// be useful to to cut down on the number of allocations by allowing the caller
-// to reuse a buffer.
+// PutBytes unpacks the scalar to a 32-byte big-endian value using the passed
+// byte array in constant time.
+//
+// There is a similar function, PutBytesUnchecked, which unpacks the scalar into
+// a slice that must have at least 32 bytes available.  This version is provided
+// since it can be useful to write directly into an array that is type checked.
+//
+// Alternatively, there is also Bytes, which unpacks the scalar into a new array
+// and returns that which can sometimes be more ergonomic in applications that
+// aren't concerned about an additional copy.
+func (s *ModNScalar) PutBytes(b *[32]byte) {
+	s.PutBytesUnchecked(b[:])
+}
+
+// Bytes unpacks the scalar to a 32-byte big-endian value in constant time.
+//
+// See PutBytes and PutBytesUnchecked for variants that allow an array or slice
+// to be passed which can be useful to cut down on the number of allocations
+// by allowing the caller to reuse a buffer or write directly into part of a
+// larger buffer.
 func (s *ModNScalar) Bytes() [32]byte {
 	var b [32]byte
-	s.PutBytes(&b)
+	s.PutBytesUnchecked(b[:])
 	return b
 }
 
diff --git a/dcrec/secp256k1/modnscalar_test.go b/dcrec/secp256k1/modnscalar_test.go
index 3bd705db..e313eadd 100644
--- a/dcrec/secp256k1/modnscalar_test.go
+++ b/dcrec/secp256k1/modnscalar_test.go
@@ -261,9 +261,8 @@ func TestModNScalarSetBytes(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 // TestModNScalarBytes ensures that retrieving the bytes for a 256-bit
-// big-endian unsigned integer via both the return copy and direct put methods
-// works as expected for edge cases.  Random cases are tested via the various
-// other tests.
+// big-endian unsigned integer via the various methods works as expected for
+// edge cases.  Random cases are tested via the various other tests.
 func TestModNScalarBytes(t *testing.T) {
 	tests := []struct {
 		name     string // test description
@@ -344,6 +343,15 @@ func TestModNScalarBytes(t *testing.T) {
 				b32, expected)
 			continue
 		}
+
+		// Ensure getting the bytes directly into a slice works as expected.
+		var buffer [64]byte
+		s.PutBytesUnchecked(buffer[:])
+		if !bytes.Equal(buffer[:32], expected) {
+			t.Errorf("%s: unexpected result\ngot: %x\nwant: %x", test.name,
+				buffer[:32], expected)
+			continue
+		}
 	}
 }