diff --git a/src/shell-generic-container.c b/src/shell-generic-container.c
index 90465ab65..9eacb1325 100644
--- a/src/shell-generic-container.c
+++ b/src/shell-generic-container.c
@@ -234,6 +234,18 @@ shell_generic_container_pick (ClutterActor        *actor,
   g_list_free (children);
 }
 
+/**
+ * shell_generic_container_get_n_skip_paint:
+ * @container:  A #ShellGenericContainer
+ *
+ * Returns: Number of children which will not be painted.
+ */
+guint
+shell_generic_container_get_n_skip_paint (ShellGenericContainer  *self)
+{
+  return g_hash_table_size (self->priv->skip_paint);
+}
+
 /**
  * shell_generic_container_set_skip_paint:
  * @container: A #ShellGenericContainer
diff --git a/src/shell-generic-container.h b/src/shell-generic-container.h
index 009df5516..50f657063 100644
--- a/src/shell-generic-container.h
+++ b/src/shell-generic-container.h
@@ -42,6 +42,8 @@ struct _ShellGenericContainerClass
 
 GType shell_generic_container_get_type (void) G_GNUC_CONST;
 
+guint shell_generic_container_get_n_skip_paint (ShellGenericContainer  *container);
+
 void shell_generic_container_set_skip_paint (ShellGenericContainer  *container,
                                              ClutterActor           *actor,
                                              gboolean                skip);