diff --git a/include/editline.h b/include/editline.h
index 6fc7d56..c726ed1 100644
--- a/include/editline.h
+++ b/include/editline.h
@@ -95,6 +95,7 @@ extern void  rl_prep_terminal   (int meta_flag);
 extern void  rl_deprep_terminal (void);
 
 extern int   rl_getc(void);
+extern int   rl_insert_text     (const char *text);
 
 extern char *readline           (const char *prompt);
 
diff --git a/src/editline.c b/src/editline.c
index da3e234..84bd3d6 100644
--- a/src/editline.c
+++ b/src/editline.c
@@ -514,6 +514,16 @@ static el_status_t insert_string(const char *p)
     return rl_point == rl_end ? CSstay : CSmove;
 }
 
+int rl_insert_text(const char *text)
+{
+    int mark = rl_point;
+
+    insert_string(text);
+    ceol();
+
+    return rl_point - mark;
+}
+
 static el_status_t redisplay(void)
 {
     /* XXX: Use "\r\e[K" to get really neat effect on ANSI capable terminals. */