diff --git a/src/engine/AccInfo.c b/src/engine/AccInfo.c
index b6a7294901..9cc240d61a 100644
--- a/src/engine/AccInfo.c
+++ b/src/engine/AccInfo.c
@@ -22,3 +22,10 @@ char *account_type_name[NUM_ACCOUNT_TYPES] =
 	CREDITLINE_STR
    };
 
+
+char * xaccAccountGetTypeStr (int type)
+{
+   if (0 > type) return "";
+   if (NUM_ACCOUNT_TYPES <= type) return "";
+   return (account_type_name [type]);
+}
diff --git a/src/engine/AccInfo.h b/src/engine/AccInfo.h
index c4c4471490..419369b267 100644
--- a/src/engine/AccInfo.h
+++ b/src/engine/AccInfo.h
@@ -97,10 +97,7 @@ enum
 
 };
 
-/* hack alert -- we need a better way of dealing with
- * account names!
- */
-extern char *account_type_name [NUM_ACCOUNT_TYPES];
+char * xaccAccountGetTypeStr (int type);
 
 struct _BankAcct 
 {