diff --git a/src/sysdir.c b/src/sysdir.c
index ed11221a3..9312a7edb 100644
--- a/src/sysdir.c
+++ b/src/sysdir.c
@@ -275,3 +275,14 @@ int git_sysdir_find_template_dir(git_buf *path)
 		path, NULL, GIT_SYSDIR_TEMPLATE, "template");
 }
 
+int git_sysdir_expand_global_file(git_buf *path, const char *filename)
+{
+	int error;
+
+	if ((error = git_sysdir_find_global_file(path, NULL)) == 0) {
+		if (filename)
+			error = git_buf_joinpath(path, path->ptr, filename);
+	}
+
+	return error;
+}
diff --git a/src/sysdir.h b/src/sysdir.h
index 11878981c..79f23818a 100644
--- a/src/sysdir.h
+++ b/src/sysdir.h
@@ -55,6 +55,18 @@ extern int git_sysdir_find_programdata_file(git_buf *path, const char *filename)
  */
 extern int git_sysdir_find_template_dir(git_buf *path);
 
+/**
+ * Expand the name of a "global" file (i.e. one in a user's home
+ * directory).  Unlike `find_global_file` (above), this makes no
+ * attempt to check for the existence of the file, and is useful if
+ * you want the full path regardless of existence.
+ *
+ * @param path buffer to write the full path into
+ * @param filename name of file in the home directory
+ * @return 0 on success or -1 on error
+ */
+extern int git_sysdir_expand_global_file(git_buf *path, const char *filename);
+
 typedef enum {
 	GIT_SYSDIR_SYSTEM = 0,
 	GIT_SYSDIR_GLOBAL = 1,