diff --git a/crypto/api.c b/crypto/api.c
index 1e4692a..bc4b790 100644
--- a/crypto/api.c
+++ b/crypto/api.c
@@ -372,6 +372,66 @@
 	return tfm;
 }
 
+/*
+ *	crypto_alloc_base - Locate algorithm and allocate transform
+ *	@alg_name: Name of algorithm
+ *	@type: Type of algorithm
+ *	@mask: Mask for type comparison
+ *
+ *	crypto_alloc_base() will first attempt to locate an already loaded
+ *	algorithm.  If that fails and the kernel supports dynamically loadable
+ *	modules, it will then attempt to load a module of the same name or
+ *	alias.  If that fails it will send a query to any loaded crypto manager
+ *	to construct an algorithm on the fly.  A refcount is grabbed on the
+ *	algorithm which is then associated with the new transform.
+ *
+ *	The returned transform is of a non-determinate type.  Most people
+ *	should use one of the more specific allocation functions such as
+ *	crypto_alloc_blkcipher.
+ *
+ *	In case of error the return value is an error pointer.
+ */
+struct crypto_tfm *crypto_alloc_base(const char *alg_name, u32 type, u32 mask)
+{
+	struct crypto_tfm *tfm;
+	int err;
+
+	for (;;) {
+		struct crypto_alg *alg;
+
+		alg = crypto_alg_mod_lookup(alg_name, type, mask);
+		err = PTR_ERR(alg);
+		tfm = ERR_PTR(err);
+		if (IS_ERR(alg))
+			goto err;
+
+		tfm = __crypto_alloc_tfm(alg, 0);
+		if (!IS_ERR(tfm))
+			break;
+
+		crypto_mod_put(alg);
+		err = PTR_ERR(tfm);
+
+err:
+		if (err != -EAGAIN)
+			break;
+		if (signal_pending(current)) {
+			err = -EINTR;
+			break;
+		}
+	};
+
+	return tfm;
+}
+EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(crypto_alloc_base);
+ 
+/*
+ *	crypto_free_tfm - Free crypto transform
+ *	@tfm: Transform to free
+ *
+ *	crypto_free_tfm() frees up the transform and any associated resources,
+ *	then drops the refcount on the associated algorithm.
+ */
 void crypto_free_tfm(struct crypto_tfm *tfm)
 {
 	struct crypto_alg *alg;
diff --git a/include/linux/crypto.h b/include/linux/crypto.h
index 530dc4b..6847ab0 100644
--- a/include/linux/crypto.h
+++ b/include/linux/crypto.h
@@ -194,8 +194,8 @@
 
 /*
  * Transforms: user-instantiated objects which encapsulate algorithms
- * and core processing logic.  Managed via crypto_alloc_tfm() and
- * crypto_free_tfm(), as well as the various helpers below.
+ * and core processing logic.  Managed via crypto_alloc_*() and
+ * crypto_free_*(), as well as the various helpers below.
  */
 
 struct cipher_tfm {
@@ -278,16 +278,8 @@
  * Transform user interface.
  */
  
-/*
- * crypto_alloc_tfm() will first attempt to locate an already loaded algorithm.
- * If that fails and the kernel supports dynamically loadable modules, it
- * will then attempt to load a module of the same name or alias.  A refcount
- * is grabbed on the algorithm which is then associated with the new transform.
- *
- * crypto_free_tfm() frees up the transform and any associated resources,
- * then drops the refcount on the associated algorithm.
- */
 struct crypto_tfm *crypto_alloc_tfm(const char *alg_name, u32 tfm_flags);
+struct crypto_tfm *crypto_alloc_base(const char *alg_name, u32 type, u32 mask);
 void crypto_free_tfm(struct crypto_tfm *tfm);
 
 /*