diff --git a/backend/egl.c b/backend/egl.c
index 3462113c..cfee59ce 100644
--- a/backend/egl.c
+++ b/backend/egl.c
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 #include "backend/egl.h"
 #include "common/log.h"
 
-static const char *egl_error(void) {
+const char *egl_error(void) {
 	switch (eglGetError()) {
 	case EGL_SUCCESS:
 		return "Success";
diff --git a/include/backend/egl.h b/include/backend/egl.h
index 8cef36b7..0422a52b 100644
--- a/include/backend/egl.h
+++ b/include/backend/egl.h
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ struct wlr_egl {
 	EGLContext context;
 };
 
+const char *egl_error(void);
 bool wlr_egl_init(struct wlr_egl *egl, EGLenum platform, void *display);
 void wlr_egl_free(struct wlr_egl *egl);
 EGLSurface wlr_egl_create_surface(struct wlr_egl *egl, void *window);