diff --git a/checkin_notes b/checkin_notes
index 56a7807bde..3bd3594245 100755
--- a/checkin_notes
+++ b/checkin_notes
@@ -5958,4 +5958,5 @@ Bruce 1 May 2005
     lib/
         error_numbers.h
         util.C
+        util.h
 
diff --git a/lib/util.h b/lib/util.h
index da47f2fb22..8f75722a74 100755
--- a/lib/util.h
+++ b/lib/util.h
@@ -127,4 +127,9 @@ extern int boinc_calling_thread_cpu_time(double&);
 //
 extern void mysql_timestamp(double, char*);
 
+// returns short text description of error corresponding to
+// int errornumber from error_numbers.h
+//
+extern const char* boincerror(int which_error);
+
 #endif