diff --git a/libkwineffects/kwinglobals.h b/libkwineffects/kwinglobals.h
index e1507d75bf..b1b789630f 100644
--- a/libkwineffects/kwinglobals.h
+++ b/libkwineffects/kwinglobals.h
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 #include <kdemacros.h>
 
 #include <X11/Xlib.h>
+#include <X11/Xlib-xcb.h>
 #include <fixx11h.h>
 
 #include <kwinconfig.h>
@@ -132,6 +133,12 @@ KWIN_EXPORT Display* display()
     return QX11Info::display();
 }
 
+inline
+KWIN_EXPORT xcb_connection_t *connection()
+{
+    return XGetXCBConnection(display());
+}
+
 inline
 KWIN_EXPORT Window rootWindow()
 {