diff --git a/src/wp-includes/functions.php b/src/wp-includes/functions.php
index 820069518d..b6d741f477 100644
--- a/src/wp-includes/functions.php
+++ b/src/wp-includes/functions.php
@@ -3667,6 +3667,19 @@ function __return_null() {
 	return null;
 }
 
+/**
+ * Returns an empty string.
+ *
+ * Useful for returning an empty string to filters easily.
+ *
+ * @since 3.7.0
+ * @see __return_null()
+ * @return string Empty string
+ */
+function __return_empty_string() {
+	return '';
+}
+
 /**
  * Send a HTTP header to disable content type sniffing in browsers which support it.
  *