diff --git a/utils/msg_q.c b/utils/msg_q.c
index c4f3b9d9..f82d4c03 100644
--- a/utils/msg_q.c
+++ b/utils/msg_q.c
@@ -136,6 +136,20 @@ msq_q_err_type msg_q_init(void** msg_q_data)
    return eMSG_Q_SUCCESS;
 }
 
+/*===========================================================================
+
+  FUNCTION:   msg_q_init2
+
+  ===========================================================================*/
+const void* msg_q_init2()
+{
+  void* q = NULL;
+  if (eMSG_Q_SUCCESS != msg_q_init(&q)) {
+    q = NULL;
+  }
+  return q;
+}
+
 /*===========================================================================
 
   FUNCTION:   msg_q_destroy
diff --git a/utils/msg_q.h b/utils/msg_q.h
index d3d5cc5d..453b8ce3 100644
--- a/utils/msg_q.h
+++ b/utils/msg_q.h
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ FUNCTION    msg_q_init
 DESCRIPTION
    Initializes internal structures for message queue.
 
-   msg_q_data: State of message queue to be initialized.
+   msg_q_data: pointer to an opaque Q handle to be returned; NULL if fails
 
 DEPENDENCIES
    N/A
@@ -72,6 +72,24 @@ SIDE EFFECTS
 ===========================================================================*/
 msq_q_err_type msg_q_init(void** msg_q_data);
 
+/*===========================================================================
+FUNCTION    msg_q_init2
+
+DESCRIPTION
+   Initializes internal structures for message queue.
+
+DEPENDENCIES
+   N/A
+
+RETURN VALUE
+   opaque handle to the Q created; NULL if create fails
+
+SIDE EFFECTS
+   N/A
+
+===========================================================================*/
+const void* msg_q_init2();
+
 /*===========================================================================
 FUNCTION    msg_q_destroy