diff --git a/gtk/gtkmain.c b/gtk/gtkmain.c
index 6e5188b337..56400971c3 100644
--- a/gtk/gtkmain.c
+++ b/gtk/gtkmain.c
@@ -811,6 +811,17 @@ gtk_set_debug_flags (guint flags)
   debug_flags = flags;
 }
 
+gboolean
+gtk_simulate_touchscreen (void)
+{
+  static gint test_touchscreen;
+
+  if (test_touchscreen == 0)
+    test_touchscreen = g_getenv ("GTK_TEST_TOUCHSCREEN") != NULL ? 1 : -1;
+
+  return test_touchscreen > 0 || (debug_flags & GTK_DEBUG_TOUCHSCREEN) != 0;
+ }
+
 /**
  * gtk_get_option_group:
  * @open_default_display: whether to open the default display
diff --git a/gtk/gtkprivate.h b/gtk/gtkprivate.h
index 5fe7d88eae..9385b8bafd 100644
--- a/gtk/gtkprivate.h
+++ b/gtk/gtkprivate.h
@@ -95,6 +95,8 @@ gboolean        _gtk_propagate_captured_event  (GtkWidget       *widget,
 void _gtk_load_dll_with_libgtk3_manifest (const char *dllname);
 #endif
 
+gboolean        gtk_simulate_touchscreen (void);
+
 G_END_DECLS
 
 #endif /* __GTK_PRIVATE_H__ */