diff --git a/buddylist.module b/buddylist.module
index 609b89ee002a21c3e5b3a6123eb585c32e34f83f..7be76b7814cc7275fdc76882265554080a42300b 100644
--- a/buddylist.module
+++ b/buddylist.module
@@ -32,6 +32,19 @@ function buddylist_get_buddies($uid = NULL) {
   return $buddies[$uid];
 }
 
+// a simple single select box suitable for use in a block or in theme, or in other module, for example
+function buddylist_select() {
+  global $user;
+
+  if ($buddies = buddylist_get_buddies()) {
+    foreach ($buddies as $buddy) {
+      $options[$buddy->uid] = $buddy->name;
+    }
+    $output = form_select('', 'buddy', $edit['buddy'] ? $edit['buddy'] : '', $options);
+    return $output;
+  }
+}
+
 /**
  * Implementation of hook_settings
  */