diff --git a/libguile/strerror.c b/libguile/strerror.c
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d7c19bce5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libguile/strerror.c
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+/* Interfaces to system-dependent kernel and library entries.
+   Copyright (C) 1985, 86, 87, 88, 93, 94, 95 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
+
+This file is part of GNU Emacs.
+
+GNU Emacs is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify
+it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+the Free Software Foundation; either version 2, or (at your option)
+any later version.
+
+GNU Emacs is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+along with GNU Emacs; see the file COPYING.  If not, write to
+the Free Software Foundation, Inc., 59 Temple Place - Suite 330,
+Boston, MA 02111-1307, USA.  */
+
+
+char *
+strerror (errnum)
+     int errnum;
+{
+  extern char *sys_errlist[];
+  extern int sys_nerr;
+
+  if (errnum >= 0 && errnum < sys_nerr)
+    return sys_errlist[errnum];
+  return (char *) "Unknown error";
+}