diff --git a/bitbake/lib/toaster/bldcontrol/bbcontroller.py b/bitbake/lib/toaster/bldcontrol/bbcontroller.py
index 3d98ad7e1e..ba009313e7 100644
--- a/bitbake/lib/toaster/bldcontrol/bbcontroller.py
+++ b/bitbake/lib/toaster/bldcontrol/bbcontroller.py
@@ -52,6 +52,9 @@ class BitbakeController(object):
     def setVariable(self, name, value):
         return self._runCommand(["setVariable", name, value])
 
+    def getVariable(self, name):
+        return self._runCommand(["getVariable", name])
+
     def build(self, targets, task = None):
         if task is None:
             task = "build"