diff --git a/openwrt/package/base-files/default/etc/functions.sh b/openwrt/package/base-files/default/etc/functions.sh
index d54a346315..fbb5a160c4 100755
--- a/openwrt/package/base-files/default/etc/functions.sh
+++ b/openwrt/package/base-files/default/etc/functions.sh
@@ -1,6 +1,10 @@
 #!/bin/sh
 alias debug=${DEBUG:-:}
 
+# newline
+N="
+"
+
 # valid interface?
 if_valid () (
   ifconfig "$1" >&- 2>&- ||
@@ -12,6 +16,13 @@ hotplug_dev() {
 	env -i ACTION=$1 INTERFACE=$2 /sbin/hotplug net
 }
 
+append() {
+	local var="$1"
+	local value="$2"
+	local sep="${3:- }"
+	eval "export ${var}=\"\${${var}:+\${${var}}${value:+$sep}}$value\""
+}
+
 config_cb() {
 	return 0
 }