diff --git a/src/dbus.c b/src/dbus.c
index b4a4ce1f..3ec1f524 100644
--- a/src/dbus.c
+++ b/src/dbus.c
@@ -65,6 +65,12 @@ struct l_dbus_message *dbus_error_busy(struct l_dbus_message *msg)
 					"Operation already in progress");
 }
 
+struct l_dbus_message *dbus_error_failed(struct l_dbus_message *msg)
+{
+	return l_dbus_message_new_error(msg, IWD_SERVICE ".Failed",
+					"Operation failed");
+}
+
 void dbus_pending_reply(struct l_dbus_message **msg,
 				struct l_dbus_message *reply)
 {
diff --git a/src/dbus.h b/src/dbus.h
index ad21e1ee..c51b98b4 100644
--- a/src/dbus.h
+++ b/src/dbus.h
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ void dbus_dict_append_bool(struct l_dbus_message_builder *builder,
 				const char *key, bool boolval);
 
 struct l_dbus_message *dbus_error_busy(struct l_dbus_message *msg);
+struct l_dbus_message *dbus_error_failed(struct l_dbus_message *msg);
 
 bool dbus_init(void);
 bool dbus_exit(void);