diff --git a/gtk/gtkcssvalue.c b/gtk/gtkcssvalue.c
index 9fef5769b0..25d3668df5 100644
--- a/gtk/gtkcssvalue.c
+++ b/gtk/gtkcssvalue.c
@@ -418,6 +418,18 @@ _gtk_css_value_transition (GtkCssValue *start,
   return start->class->transition (start, end, progress);
 }
 
+char *
+_gtk_css_value_to_string (const GtkCssValue *value)
+{
+  GString *string;
+
+  g_return_val_if_fail (value != NULL, NULL);
+
+  string = g_string_new (NULL);
+  _gtk_css_value_print (value, string);
+  return g_string_free (string, FALSE);
+}
+
 void
 _gtk_css_value_print (const GtkCssValue *value,
                       GString           *string)
diff --git a/gtk/gtkcssvalueprivate.h b/gtk/gtkcssvalueprivate.h
index 6e2e89c66f..a3143a3cc0 100644
--- a/gtk/gtkcssvalueprivate.h
+++ b/gtk/gtkcssvalueprivate.h
@@ -71,6 +71,7 @@ GtkCssValue *_gtk_css_value_transition                (GtkCssValue
                                                        GtkCssValue                *end,
                                                        double                      progress);
 
+char *       _gtk_css_value_to_string                 (const GtkCssValue          *value);
 void         _gtk_css_value_print                     (const GtkCssValue          *value,
                                                        GString                    *string);