diff --git a/src/shell-global.c b/src/shell-global.c
index 2d55033fa..32836cba5 100644
--- a/src/shell-global.c
+++ b/src/shell-global.c
@@ -1410,6 +1410,23 @@ shell_global_get_primary_monitor (ShellGlobal  *global)
   return meta_rectangle_copy (&rect);
 }
 
+/**
+ * shell_global_get_primary_monitor_index:
+ * @global: the #ShellGlobal
+ *
+ * Gets the index of the primary monitor (the one that the
+ * panel is on).
+ *
+ * Return value: the index of the primary monitor
+ */
+int
+shell_global_get_primary_monitor_index (ShellGlobal  *global)
+{
+  MetaScreen *screen = shell_global_get_screen (global);
+
+  return meta_screen_get_primary_monitor (screen);
+}
+
 /**
  * shell_global_get_focus_monitor:
  * @global: the #ShellGlobal
diff --git a/src/shell-global.h b/src/shell-global.h
index f05391915..40f9a8f9b 100644
--- a/src/shell-global.h
+++ b/src/shell-global.h
@@ -100,6 +100,7 @@ void shell_global_format_time_relative_pretty (ShellGlobal *global, guint delta,
 
 GSList       *shell_global_get_monitors        (ShellGlobal  *global);
 MetaRectangle *shell_global_get_primary_monitor (ShellGlobal  *global);
+int            shell_global_get_primary_monitor_index (ShellGlobal  *global);
 MetaRectangle *shell_global_get_focus_monitor   (ShellGlobal  *global);
 
 void shell_global_get_pointer (ShellGlobal         *global,