diff --git a/dtool/src/prc/configVariable.I b/dtool/src/prc/configVariable.I
index 6a98e3a2d5..0d8dd74185 100644
--- a/dtool/src/prc/configVariable.I
+++ b/dtool/src/prc/configVariable.I
@@ -102,6 +102,19 @@ set_string_value(const string &string_value) {
   _core->make_local_value()->set_string_value(string_value);
 }
 
+////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+//     Function: ConfigVariable::clear_value
+//       Access: Published
+//  Description: Removes the value assigned to this variable, and lets
+//               its original value (as read from the prc files) show
+//               through.
+////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+INLINE void ConfigVariable::
+clear_value() {
+  nassertv(_core != (ConfigVariableCore *)NULL);
+  _core->clear_local_value();
+}
+
 ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 //     Function: ConfigVariable::get_num_words
 //       Access: Published
diff --git a/dtool/src/prc/configVariable.h b/dtool/src/prc/configVariable.h
index ed4d25aea5..e284c5f5fc 100644
--- a/dtool/src/prc/configVariable.h
+++ b/dtool/src/prc/configVariable.h
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ PUBLISHED:
 
   INLINE const string &get_string_value() const;
   INLINE void set_string_value(const string &value);
+  INLINE void clear_value();
 
   INLINE int get_num_words() const;