diff --git a/libtar/gethostname.c b/libtar/gethostname.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1abaae1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libtar/gethostname.c
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+/* gethostname.c: minimal substitute for missing gethostname() function
+ * created 2000-Mar-02 jmk
+ * requires SVR4 uname() and -lc
+ *
+ * by Jim Knoble <jmknoble@pobox.com>
+ * Copyright ? 2000 Jim Knoble
+ *
+ * Permission to use, copy, modify, distribute, and sell this software
+ * and its documentation for any purpose is hereby granted without fee,
+ * provided that the above copyright notice appear in all copies and
+ * that both that copyright notice and this permission notice appear in
+ * supporting documentation.
+ *
+ * This software is provided "as is", without warranty of any kind,
+ * express or implied, including but not limited to the warranties of
+ * merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and
+ * noninfringement. In no event shall the author(s) be liable for any
+ * claim, damages or other liability, whether in an action of contract,
+ * tort or otherwise, arising from, out of or in connection with the
+ * software or the use or other dealings in the software.
+ */
+
+#include <string.h>
+#include <sys/utsname.h>
+
+int gethostname(char *name, size_t len)
+{
+   struct utsname u;
+   int status = uname(&u);
+   if (-1 != status) {
+      strncpy(name, u.nodename, len);
+      name[len - 1] = '\0';
+   }
+   return(status);
+}
+