diff --git a/src/libFLAC/bitbuffer.c b/src/libFLAC/bitbuffer.c
index a7babc5a..0c267847 100644
--- a/src/libFLAC/bitbuffer.c
+++ b/src/libFLAC/bitbuffer.c
@@ -580,6 +580,11 @@ unsigned FLAC__bitbuffer_get_input_bytes_unconsumed(const FLAC__BitBuffer *bb)
 	return (bb->total_bits - bb->total_consumed_bits) >> 3;
 }
 
+unsigned FLAC__bitbuffer_get_input_bits_unconsumed(const FLAC__BitBuffer *bb)
+{
+	return bb->total_bits - bb->total_consumed_bits;
+}
+
 void FLAC__bitbuffer_get_buffer(FLAC__BitBuffer *bb, const FLAC__byte **buffer, size_t *bytes)
 {
 	FLAC__ASSERT((bb->consumed_bits & 7) == 0 && (bb->bits & 7) == 0);
diff --git a/src/libFLAC/include/private/bitbuffer.h b/src/libFLAC/include/private/bitbuffer.h
index 1bb5b652..eea77388 100644
--- a/src/libFLAC/include/private/bitbuffer.h
+++ b/src/libFLAC/include/private/bitbuffer.h
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ FLAC__bool FLAC__bitbuffer_is_byte_aligned(const FLAC__BitBuffer *bb);
 FLAC__bool FLAC__bitbuffer_is_consumed_byte_aligned(const FLAC__BitBuffer *bb);
 unsigned FLAC__bitbuffer_bits_left_for_byte_alignment(const FLAC__BitBuffer *bb);
 unsigned FLAC__bitbuffer_get_input_bytes_unconsumed(const FLAC__BitBuffer *bb); /* do not call unless byte-aligned */
+unsigned FLAC__bitbuffer_get_input_bits_unconsumed(const FLAC__BitBuffer *bb); /* can be called anytime, returns total # of bits unconsumed */
 
 /*
  * direct buffer access