diff --git a/include/sound/pcm.h b/include/sound/pcm.h
index 6b99310b5b88..26523cfe428d 100644
--- a/include/sound/pcm.h
+++ b/include/sound/pcm.h
@@ -1392,6 +1392,20 @@ static inline void snd_pcm_limit_isa_dma_size(int dma, size_t *max)
 
 const char *snd_pcm_format_name(snd_pcm_format_t format);
 
+/**
+ * snd_pcm_direction_name - Get a string naming the direction of a stream
+ * @direction: Stream's direction, one of SNDRV_PCM_STREAM_XXX
+ *
+ * Returns a string naming the direction of the stream.
+ */
+static inline const char *snd_pcm_direction_name(int direction)
+{
+	if (direction == SNDRV_PCM_STREAM_PLAYBACK)
+		return "Playback";
+	else
+		return "Capture";
+}
+
 /**
  * snd_pcm_stream_str - Get a string naming the direction of a stream
  * @substream: the pcm substream instance
@@ -1400,10 +1414,7 @@ const char *snd_pcm_format_name(snd_pcm_format_t format);
  */
 static inline const char *snd_pcm_stream_str(struct snd_pcm_substream *substream)
 {
-	if (substream->stream == SNDRV_PCM_STREAM_PLAYBACK)
-		return "Playback";
-	else
-		return "Capture";
+	return snd_pcm_direction_name(substream->stream);
 }
 
 /*