diff --git a/include/asm-generic/gpio.h b/include/asm-generic/gpio.h
index c19e16cd21dc80cab6c42bfb9a2671ce908231dd..23c964940312efc36f4dffac82292a141c1050b6 100644
--- a/include/asm-generic/gpio.h
+++ b/include/asm-generic/gpio.h
@@ -94,4 +94,13 @@ int gpio_get_value(unsigned gpio);
  */
 int gpio_set_value(unsigned gpio, int value);
 
+/**
+ * Request a gpio. This should be called before any of the other functions
+ * are used on this gpio.
+ *
+ * @param gp	GPIO number
+ * @param label	User label for this GPIO
+ * @return 0 if ok, -1 on error
+ */
+int gpio_request(unsigned gpio, const char *label);
 #endif	/* _ASM_GENERIC_GPIO_H_ */