diff --git a/dix/dix_priv.h b/dix/dix_priv.h
index 30c10ce2cf..a368b54c2c 100644
--- a/dix/dix_priv.h
+++ b/dix/dix_priv.h
@@ -704,6 +704,18 @@ static inline int WriteRpcbufToClient(ClientPtr pClient,
     return ret;
 }
 
+/*
+ * @brief make atom from null-terminated string
+ *
+ * if atom already existing, return the existing Atom ID
+ *
+ * @param name  the atom name
+ * @return atom ID
+ */
+static inline Atom dixAddAtom(const char *name) {
+    return MakeAtom(name, strlen(name), TRUE);
+}
+
 /*
  * @brief retrieve atom ID by name
  *