diff --git a/include/tins/sniffer.h b/include/tins/sniffer.h
index cd0383b..942cd71 100644
--- a/include/tins/sniffer.h
+++ b/include/tins/sniffer.h
@@ -299,13 +299,18 @@ public:
         PROMISC
     };
 
+    /**
+     * \brief Constructs an instance of Sniffer
+     *
+     * \param device The device from which to capture packets
+     */
+    Sniffer(const std::string& device);
+
     /**
      * \brief Constructs an instance of Sniffer using the provided configuration.
      *
-     * This constructor was added as a way to improve the parameter bloat
-     * introduced by the other ones available. You should create an instance
-     * of SnifferConfiguration, set the desired parameters, and then use it
-     * when constructing a Sniffer object.
+     * Use the SnifferConfiguration object to specify how you want to configure
+     * the properties of this sniffer
      *
      * \sa SnifferConfiguration
      *
@@ -344,12 +349,13 @@ public:
      * \param filter A capture filter to be used on the sniffing session.(optional);
      * \param rfmon Indicates if the interface should be put in monitor mode.(optional);
      */
-    TINS_DEPRECATED(Sniffer(const std::string& device, promisc_type promisc = NON_PROMISC,
+    TINS_DEPRECATED(Sniffer(const std::string& device, promisc_type promisc,
                     const std::string& filter = "", bool rfmon = false));
 
 private:
     friend class SnifferConfiguration;
 
+    void init(const std::string& device, const SnifferConfiguration& configuration);
     void set_snap_len(unsigned snap_len);
     void set_buffer_size(unsigned buffer_size);
     void set_promisc_mode(bool promisc_enabled);
diff --git a/src/sniffer.cpp b/src/sniffer.cpp
index e393a1d..105b2e1 100644
--- a/src/sniffer.cpp
+++ b/src/sniffer.cpp
@@ -232,30 +232,12 @@ bool BaseSniffer::set_direction(pcap_direction_t d) {
 
 // ****************************** Sniffer ******************************
 
+Sniffer::Sniffer(const string& device) {
+    init(device, SnifferConfiguration());
+}
+
 Sniffer::Sniffer(const string& device, const SnifferConfiguration& configuration) {
-    char error[PCAP_ERRBUF_SIZE];
-    pcap_t* phandle = pcap_create(TINS_PREFIX_INTERFACE(device).c_str(), error);
-    if (!phandle) {
-        throw pcap_error(error);
-    }
-    set_pcap_handle(phandle);
-
-    // Set the netmask if we are able to find it.
-    bpf_u_int32 ip, if_mask;
-    if (pcap_lookupnet(TINS_PREFIX_INTERFACE(device).c_str(), &ip, &if_mask, error) == 0) {
-        set_if_mask(if_mask);
-    }
-
-    // Configure the sniffer's attributes prior to activation.
-    configuration.configure_sniffer_pre_activation(*this);
-
-    // Finally, activate the pcap. In case of error, throw
-    if (pcap_activate(get_pcap_handle()) < 0) {
-        throw pcap_error(pcap_geterr(get_pcap_handle()));
-    }
-
-    // Configure the sniffer's attributes after activation.
-    configuration.configure_sniffer_post_activation(*this);
+    init(device, configuration);
 }
 
 Sniffer::Sniffer(const string& device,
@@ -269,29 +251,7 @@ Sniffer::Sniffer(const string& device,
     configuration.set_filter(filter);
     configuration.set_rfmon(rfmon);
 
-    char error[PCAP_ERRBUF_SIZE];
-    pcap_t* phandle = pcap_create(TINS_PREFIX_INTERFACE(device).c_str(), error);
-    if (!phandle) {
-        throw pcap_error(error);
-    }
-    set_pcap_handle(phandle);
-
-    // Set the netmask if we are able to find it.
-    bpf_u_int32 ip, if_mask;
-    if (pcap_lookupnet(TINS_PREFIX_INTERFACE(device).c_str(), &ip, &if_mask, error) == 0) {
-        set_if_mask(if_mask);
-    }
-
-    // Configure the sniffer's attributes prior to activation.
-    configuration.configure_sniffer_pre_activation(*this);
-
-    // Finally, activate the pcap. In case of error, throw
-    if (pcap_activate(get_pcap_handle()) < 0) {
-        throw pcap_error(pcap_geterr(get_pcap_handle()));
-    }
-
-    // Configure the sniffer's attributes after activation.
-    configuration.configure_sniffer_post_activation(*this);
+    init(device, configuration);
 }
 
 Sniffer::Sniffer(const string& device, 
@@ -303,6 +263,10 @@ Sniffer::Sniffer(const string& device,
     configuration.set_filter(filter);
     configuration.set_rfmon(rfmon);
 
+    init(device, configuration);
+}
+
+void Sniffer::init(const string& device, const SnifferConfiguration& configuration) {
     char error[PCAP_ERRBUF_SIZE];
     pcap_t* phandle = pcap_create(TINS_PREFIX_INTERFACE(device).c_str(), error);
     if (!phandle) {