diff --git a/legacy/elementary/src/lib/elm_genlist.c b/legacy/elementary/src/lib/elm_genlist.c
index 9683ec2a0b..f9a2436f00 100644
--- a/legacy/elementary/src/lib/elm_genlist.c
+++ b/legacy/elementary/src/lib/elm_genlist.c
@@ -6136,6 +6136,15 @@ elm_genlist_item_subitems_count(const Elm_Object_Item *it)
    return eina_list_count(item->item->items);
 }
 
+EAPI const Eina_List *
+elm_genlist_item_subitems_get(const Elm_Object_Item *it)
+{
+   Elm_Gen_Item *item = (Elm_Gen_Item *)it;
+   ELM_GENLIST_ITEM_CHECK_OR_RETURN(it, NULL);
+
+   return item->item->items;
+}
+
 EAPI void
 elm_genlist_item_subitems_clear(Elm_Object_Item *item)
 {
diff --git a/legacy/elementary/src/lib/elm_genlist_common.h b/legacy/elementary/src/lib/elm_genlist_common.h
index 8ce45933d5..069a70b585 100644
--- a/legacy/elementary/src/lib/elm_genlist_common.h
+++ b/legacy/elementary/src/lib/elm_genlist_common.h
@@ -570,6 +570,19 @@ EAPI Elm_Object_Item             *elm_genlist_item_parent_get(const Elm_Object_I
  * @ingroup Genlist
  */
 EAPI unsigned int                 elm_genlist_item_subitems_count(const Elm_Object_Item *it);
+
+/**
+ * Get the list of subitems of a given item
+ *
+ * @param it The item
+ * @return The list of subitems, @c NULL on error
+ *
+ * This returns the list of subitems that an item possesses. It cannot be changed.
+ *
+ * @since 1.9
+ * @ingroup Genlist
+ */
+EAPI const Eina_List             *elm_genlist_item_subitems_get(const Elm_Object_Item *it);
 /**
  * Remove all sub-items (children) of the given item
  *