diff --git a/include/linux/kernel.h b/include/linux/kernel.h
index 33f47a996513..3877478681b9 100644
--- a/include/linux/kernel.h
+++ b/include/linux/kernel.h
@@ -63,6 +63,15 @@
 }					\
 )
 
+/**
+ * lower_48_bits() - return bits 0-47 of a number
+ * @n: the number we're accessing
+ */
+static inline u64 lower_48_bits(u64 n)
+{
+	return n & ((1ull << 48) - 1);
+}
+
 /**
  * upper_32_bits - return bits 32-63 of a number
  * @n: the number we're accessing