diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/memory/autoPtr/autoPtr.H b/src/OpenFOAM/memory/autoPtr/autoPtr.H
index 748975b5cf..a8802f23a9 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/memory/autoPtr/autoPtr.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/memory/autoPtr/autoPtr.H
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
   \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
    \\    /   O peration     |
     \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2011-2016 OpenFOAM Foundation
-     \\/     M anipulation  |
+     \\/     M anipulation  | Copyright (C) 2016 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -104,6 +104,15 @@ public:
             inline void clear();
 
 
+        // Access
+
+            //- Return reference, without checking pointer validity.
+            inline T& refOrNull();
+
+            //- Return const reference, without checking pointer validity.
+            inline const T& refOrNull() const;
+
+
         // Member operators
 
             //- Return reference to the object data
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/memory/autoPtr/autoPtrI.H b/src/OpenFOAM/memory/autoPtr/autoPtrI.H
index ef199ca20c..7440bdce69 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/memory/autoPtr/autoPtrI.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/memory/autoPtr/autoPtrI.H
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
   \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
    \\    /   O peration     |
     \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2011-2016 OpenFOAM Foundation
-     \\/     M anipulation  |
+     \\/     M anipulation  | Copyright (C) 2016 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -129,6 +129,20 @@ inline void Foam::autoPtr<T>::clear()
 }
 
 
+template<class T>
+inline T& Foam::autoPtr<T>::refOrNull()
+{
+    return *ptr_;
+}
+
+
+template<class T>
+inline const T& Foam::autoPtr<T>::refOrNull() const
+{
+    return *ptr_;
+}
+
+
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Operators  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
 template<class T>