diff --git a/libobs/obs-source.c b/libobs/obs-source.c
index 5dd8cb5c2..534d5b8b7 100644
--- a/libobs/obs-source.c
+++ b/libobs/obs-source.c
@@ -2334,3 +2334,13 @@ float obs_source_get_target_volume(obs_source_t *source, obs_source_t *target)
 
 	return info.vol;
 }
+
+void obs_source_inc_showing(obs_source_t *source)
+{
+	obs_source_activate(source, AUX_VIEW);
+}
+
+void obs_source_dec_showing(obs_source_t *source)
+{
+	obs_source_deactivate(source, AUX_VIEW);
+}
diff --git a/libobs/obs.h b/libobs/obs.h
index e89af11c0..b6fc50a75 100644
--- a/libobs/obs.h
+++ b/libobs/obs.h
@@ -780,6 +780,20 @@ EXPORT void obs_source_set_audio_mixers(obs_source_t *source, uint32_t mixers);
 /** Gets audio mixer flags */
 EXPORT uint32_t obs_source_get_audio_mixers(const obs_source_t *source);
 
+/**
+ * Increments the 'showing' reference counter to indicate that the source is
+ * being shown somewhere.  If the reference counter was 0, will call the 'show'
+ * callback.
+ */
+EXPORT void obs_source_inc_showing(obs_source_t *source);
+
+/**
+ * Decrements the 'showing' reference counter to indicate that the source is
+ * no longer being shown somewhere.  If the reference counter is set to 0,
+ * will call the 'hide' callback
+ */
+EXPORT void obs_source_dec_showing(obs_source_t *source);
+
 /* ------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
 /* Functions used by sources */