diff --git a/src/api/api_context.cpp b/src/api/api_context.cpp
index bc48874a7..ceccff939 100644
--- a/src/api/api_context.cpp
+++ b/src/api/api_context.cpp
@@ -463,6 +463,10 @@ extern "C" {
         return _get_error_msg(c, err);
     }
 
+    Z3_API char const * Z3_get_error_msg_ex(Z3_context c, Z3_error_code err) {
+        return Z3_get_error_msg(c, err);
+    }
+
 
     void Z3_API Z3_set_ast_print_mode(Z3_context c, Z3_ast_print_mode mode) {
         Z3_TRY;
diff --git a/src/api/z3_api.h b/src/api/z3_api.h
index 5d1d45f37..5ce2740d9 100644
--- a/src/api/z3_api.h
+++ b/src/api/z3_api.h
@@ -5118,6 +5118,13 @@ extern "C" {
     Z3_string Z3_API Z3_get_error_msg(Z3_context c, Z3_error_code err);
     /*@}*/
 
+    /**
+       \brief Return a string describing the given error code. 
+       Retained function name for backwards compatibility within v4.1
+    */
+    Z3_string Z3_API Z3_get_error_msg_ex(Z3_context c, Z3_error_code err);
+    /*@}*/
+
     /** @name Miscellaneous */
     /*@{*/