diff --git a/clutter/clutter/clutter-backend-private.h b/clutter/clutter/clutter-backend-private.h
index b808d2534..9ce8e80bb 100644
--- a/clutter/clutter/clutter-backend-private.h
+++ b/clutter/clutter/clutter-backend-private.h
@@ -100,6 +100,8 @@ struct _ClutterBackendClass
 
   PangoDirection        (* get_keymap_direction) (ClutterBackend   *backend);
 
+  void                  (* bell_notify)          (ClutterBackend   *backend);
+
   /* signals */
   void (* resolution_changed) (ClutterBackend *backend);
   void (* font_changed)       (ClutterBackend *backend);
diff --git a/clutter/clutter/clutter-backend.c b/clutter/clutter/clutter-backend.c
index 5a457a248..fc820d93d 100644
--- a/clutter/clutter/clutter-backend.c
+++ b/clutter/clutter/clutter-backend.c
@@ -1363,3 +1363,13 @@ clutter_set_allowed_drivers (const char *drivers)
 
   allowed_drivers = g_strdup (drivers);
 }
+
+void
+clutter_backend_bell_notify (ClutterBackend *backend)
+{
+  ClutterBackendClass *klass;
+
+  klass = CLUTTER_BACKEND_GET_CLASS (backend);
+  if (klass->bell_notify)
+    klass->bell_notify (backend);
+}
diff --git a/clutter/clutter/clutter-backend.h b/clutter/clutter/clutter-backend.h
index e50f04490..c2e03d5e2 100644
--- a/clutter/clutter/clutter-backend.h
+++ b/clutter/clutter/clutter-backend.h
@@ -74,6 +74,9 @@ const cairo_font_options_t *    clutter_backend_get_font_options        (Clutter
 CLUTTER_AVAILABLE_IN_1_8
 CoglContext *                   clutter_backend_get_cogl_context        (ClutterBackend             *backend);
 
+CLUTTER_AVAILABLE_IN_ALL
+void                            clutter_backend_bell_notify             (ClutterBackend             *backend);
+
 G_END_DECLS
 
 #endif /* __CLUTTER_BACKEND_H__ */