diff --git a/sql/sql_class.h b/sql/sql_class.h
index a19c980772d..f943a611d08 100644
--- a/sql/sql_class.h
+++ b/sql/sql_class.h
@@ -677,6 +677,7 @@ public:
     is_fatal_error= 1;
     net.report_error= 1; 
   }
+  inline CHARSET_INFO *charset() { return variables.thd_charset; }
 };
 
 /*