diff --git a/include/linux/dma-buf.h b/include/linux/dma-buf.h
index 891457a..bc4203dc 100644
--- a/include/linux/dma-buf.h
+++ b/include/linux/dma-buf.h
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@
 #include <linux/scatterlist.h>
 #include <linux/list.h>
 #include <linux/dma-mapping.h>
+#include <linux/fs.h>
 
 struct dma_buf;
 struct dma_buf_attachment;
@@ -110,6 +111,20 @@
 	void *priv;
 };
 
+/**
+ * get_dma_buf - convenience wrapper for get_file.
+ * @dmabuf:	[in]	pointer to dma_buf
+ *
+ * Increments the reference count on the dma-buf, needed in case of drivers
+ * that either need to create additional references to the dmabuf on the
+ * kernel side.  For example, an exporter that needs to keep a dmabuf ptr
+ * so that subsequent exports don't create a new dmabuf.
+ */
+static inline void get_dma_buf(struct dma_buf *dmabuf)
+{
+	get_file(dmabuf->file);
+}
+
 #ifdef CONFIG_DMA_SHARED_BUFFER
 struct dma_buf_attachment *dma_buf_attach(struct dma_buf *dmabuf,
 							struct device *dev);