diff --git a/src/java/com/samskivert/util/ExpiringReference.java b/src/java/com/samskivert/util/ExpiringReference.java
index 6ffd7b3f..7ae4c6e7 100644
--- a/src/java/com/samskivert/util/ExpiringReference.java
+++ b/src/java/com/samskivert/util/ExpiringReference.java
@@ -30,6 +30,15 @@ package com.samskivert.util;
  */
 public class ExpiringReference<T>
 {
+    /**
+     * Gets the value from an expiring reference but returns null if the supplied reference
+     * reference is null.
+     */
+    public static <T> T get (ExpiringReference<T> value)
+    {
+        return (value == null) ? null : value.getValue();
+    }
+
     /**
      * Creates an reference to the specified value that will expire in the
      * specified number of milliseconds.