diff --git a/lib/isc/include/isc/timer.h b/lib/isc/include/isc/timer.h
index 815cf42dbe..77b7507031 100644
--- a/lib/isc/include/isc/timer.h
+++ b/lib/isc/include/isc/timer.h
@@ -224,6 +224,21 @@ isc_timer_touch(isc_timer_t *timer);
  *\li	Unexpected error
  */
 
+void
+isc_timer_purge(isc_timer_t *timer);
+/*%<
+ * Purge timer.
+ *
+ * Requires:
+ *
+ *\li	'timer' points to a valid timer.
+ *
+ * Ensures:
+ *
+ *\li	Any events already posted by the timer are purged.
+ *
+ */
+
 void
 isc_timer_destroy(isc_timer_t **timerp);
 /*%<
diff --git a/lib/isc/timer.c b/lib/isc/timer.c
index 40ae929ce8..e4a1c4b2cc 100644
--- a/lib/isc/timer.c
+++ b/lib/isc/timer.c
@@ -469,6 +469,15 @@ isc_timer_touch(isc_timer_t *timer) {
 	return (result);
 }
 
+void
+isc_timer_purge(isc_timer_t *timer) {
+	REQUIRE(VALID_TIMER(timer));
+
+	LOCK(&timer->lock);
+	timer_purge(timer);
+	UNLOCK(&timer->lock);
+}
+
 void
 isc_timer_destroy(isc_timer_t **timerp) {
 	isc_timer_t *timer = NULL;