diff --git a/src/packet.c b/src/packet.c
index e46ac34c..2a43dce6 100644
--- a/src/packet.c
+++ b/src/packet.c
@@ -160,3 +160,15 @@ pkt_copy(th_pkt_t *pkt)
 
   return n;
 }
+
+
+/**
+ *
+ */
+th_pktref_t *
+pktref_create(th_pkt_t *pkt)
+{
+  th_pktref_t *pr = malloc(sizeof(th_pktref_t));
+  pr->pr_pkt = pkt;
+  return pr;
+}
diff --git a/src/packet.h b/src/packet.h
index de5d7c3d..87dbe98f 100644
--- a/src/packet.h
+++ b/src/packet.h
@@ -74,4 +74,6 @@ th_pkt_t *pkt_merge_global(th_pkt_t *pkt);
 
 th_pkt_t *pkt_copy(th_pkt_t *pkt);
 
+th_pktref_t *pktref_create(th_pkt_t *pkt);
+
 #endif /* PACKET_H_ */