diff --git a/include/editline.h b/include/editline.h
index faa0214..28aa7b9 100644
--- a/include/editline.h
+++ b/include/editline.h
@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ extern int rl_meta_chars;
 extern char *      el_find_word(void);
 extern void        el_print_columns(int ac, char **av);
 extern el_status_t el_ring_bell(void);
+extern el_status_t el_del_char(void);
 
 extern void        el_bind_key(int key, el_keymap_func_t function);
 extern void        el_bind_key_in_metamap(int key, el_keymap_func_t function);
diff --git a/src/editline.c b/src/editline.c
index 3d0de36..6bf67e5 100644
--- a/src/editline.c
+++ b/src/editline.c
@@ -818,6 +818,11 @@ static el_status_t del_char(void)
     return delete_string(Repeat == NO_ARG ? 1 : Repeat);
 }
 
+el_status_t el_del_char(void)
+{
+    return del_char();
+}
+
 static el_status_t meta(void)
 {
     int c;