diff --git a/gst/gstsample.h b/gst/gstsample.h
index 379690c054..d05ff1eb05 100644
--- a/gst/gstsample.h
+++ b/gst/gstsample.h
@@ -96,6 +96,28 @@ gst_sample_unref (GstSample * sample)
   gst_mini_object_unref (GST_MINI_OBJECT_CAST (sample));
 }
 
+/* copy sample */
+/**
+ * gst_sample_copy:
+ * @buf: a #GstSample.
+ *
+ * Create a copy of the given sample. This will also make a newly allocated
+ * copy of the data the source sample contains.
+ *
+ * Returns: (transfer full): a new copy of @buf.
+ *
+ * Since: 1.2
+ */
+#ifdef _FOOL_GTK_DOC_
+G_INLINE_FUNC GstSample * gst_sample_copy (const GstSample * buf);
+#endif
+
+static inline GstSample *
+gst_sample_copy (const GstSample * buf)
+{
+  return GST_SAMPLE_CAST (gst_mini_object_copy (GST_MINI_OBJECT_CONST_CAST (buf)));
+}
+
 /**
  * gst_value_set_sample:
  * @v: a #GValue to receive the data