diff --git a/src/mesa/shader/program.c b/src/mesa/shader/program.c
index f6877bd1426..b1d06bbb278 100644
--- a/src/mesa/shader/program.c
+++ b/src/mesa/shader/program.c
@@ -1312,6 +1312,19 @@ _mesa_init_instruction(struct prog_instruction *inst)
 }
 
 
+/**
+ * Allocate an array of program instructions.
+ * \param numInst  number of instructions
+ * \return pointer to instruction memory
+ */
+struct prog_instruction *
+_mesa_alloc_instructions(GLuint numInst)
+{
+   return (struct prog_instruction *)
+      _mesa_calloc(numInst * sizeof(struct prog_instruction));
+}
+
+
 /**
  * Reallocate memory storing an array of program instructions.
  * This is used when we need to append additional instructions onto an
diff --git a/src/mesa/shader/program.h b/src/mesa/shader/program.h
index a8535cc2cf1..6a345339aff 100644
--- a/src/mesa/shader/program.h
+++ b/src/mesa/shader/program.h
@@ -114,6 +114,9 @@ _mesa_delete_program(GLcontext *ctx, struct gl_program *prog);
 extern struct gl_program *
 _mesa_lookup_program(GLcontext *ctx, GLuint id);
 
+extern struct prog_instruction *
+_mesa_alloc_instructions(GLuint numInst);
+
 extern struct prog_instruction *
 _mesa_realloc_instructions(struct prog_instruction *oldInst,
                            GLuint numOldInst, GLuint numNewInst);