diff --git a/drivers/gpu/drm/drm_atomic_state_helper.c b/drivers/gpu/drm/drm_atomic_state_helper.c
index cee6d8fc44ad..d21f32f0ad51 100644
--- a/drivers/gpu/drm/drm_atomic_state_helper.c
+++ b/drivers/gpu/drm/drm_atomic_state_helper.c
@@ -714,6 +714,28 @@ void drm_atomic_helper_connector_destroy_state(struct drm_connector *connector,
 }
 EXPORT_SYMBOL(drm_atomic_helper_connector_destroy_state);
 
+/**
+ * __drm_atomic_helper_private_obj_create_state - initializes private object state
+ * @obj: private object
+ * @state: new state to initialize
+ *
+ * Initializes the newly allocated @state, usually required when
+ * initializing the drivers.
+ *
+ * @obj is assumed to be zeroed.
+ *
+ * This is useful for drivers that use private states.
+ */
+void __drm_atomic_helper_private_obj_create_state(struct drm_private_obj *obj,
+						  struct drm_private_state *state)
+{
+	if (state)
+		state->obj = obj;
+
+	obj->state = state;
+}
+EXPORT_SYMBOL(__drm_atomic_helper_private_obj_create_state);
+
 /**
  * __drm_atomic_helper_private_obj_duplicate_state - copy atomic private state
  * @obj: CRTC object
diff --git a/include/drm/drm_atomic_state_helper.h b/include/drm/drm_atomic_state_helper.h
index b9740edb2658..900672c6ea90 100644
--- a/include/drm/drm_atomic_state_helper.h
+++ b/include/drm/drm_atomic_state_helper.h
@@ -84,6 +84,9 @@ void
 __drm_atomic_helper_connector_destroy_state(struct drm_connector_state *state);
 void drm_atomic_helper_connector_destroy_state(struct drm_connector *connector,
 					  struct drm_connector_state *state);
+
+void __drm_atomic_helper_private_obj_create_state(struct drm_private_obj *obj,
+						  struct drm_private_state *state);
 void __drm_atomic_helper_private_obj_duplicate_state(struct drm_private_obj *obj,
 						     struct drm_private_state *state);