diff --git a/include/openbsc/chan_alloc.h b/include/openbsc/chan_alloc.h
index 0cbd03e..0c6d63e 100644
--- a/include/openbsc/chan_alloc.h
+++ b/include/openbsc/chan_alloc.h
@@ -19,4 +19,7 @@
 /* Free a logical channel (SDCCH, TCH, ...) */
 void lchan_free(struct gsm_lchan *lchan);
 
+/* Consider releasing the channel */
+int lchan_auto_release(struct gsm_lchan *lchan);
+
 #endif /* _CHAN_ALLOC_H */