diff --git a/src/ol/control/overviewmapcontrol.js b/src/ol/control/overviewmapcontrol.js
index 4562d27b6a..e87cb8590d 100644
--- a/src/ol/control/overviewmapcontrol.js
+++ b/src/ol/control/overviewmapcontrol.js
@@ -520,3 +520,13 @@ ol.control.OverviewMap.prototype.setCollapsed = function(collapsed) {
 ol.control.OverviewMap.prototype.getCollapsed = function() {
   return this.collapsed_;
 };
+
+
+/**
+ * Return the overview map.
+ * @return {ol.Map} Overview map.
+ * @api
+ */
+ol.control.OverviewMap.prototype.getOverviewMap = function() {
+  return this.ovmap_;
+};