diff --git a/src/libbpf.c b/src/libbpf.c
index d3c457f..ad43b6c 100644
--- a/src/libbpf.c
+++ b/src/libbpf.c
@@ -5192,18 +5192,21 @@ size_t bpf_core_essential_name_len(const char *name)
 	return n;
 }
 
-static void bpf_core_free_cands(struct bpf_core_cand_list *cands)
+void bpf_core_free_cands(struct bpf_core_cand_list *cands)
 {
+	if (!cands)
+		return;
+
 	free(cands->cands);
 	free(cands);
 }
 
-static int bpf_core_add_cands(struct bpf_core_cand *local_cand,
-			      size_t local_essent_len,
-			      const struct btf *targ_btf,
-			      const char *targ_btf_name,
-			      int targ_start_id,
-			      struct bpf_core_cand_list *cands)
+int bpf_core_add_cands(struct bpf_core_cand *local_cand,
+		       size_t local_essent_len,
+		       const struct btf *targ_btf,
+		       const char *targ_btf_name,
+		       int targ_start_id,
+		       struct bpf_core_cand_list *cands)
 {
 	struct bpf_core_cand *new_cands, *cand;
 	const struct btf_type *t, *local_t;
diff --git a/src/libbpf_internal.h b/src/libbpf_internal.h
index bc86b82..4fda8bd 100644
--- a/src/libbpf_internal.h
+++ b/src/libbpf_internal.h
@@ -529,4 +529,13 @@ static inline int ensure_good_fd(int fd)
 	return fd;
 }
 
+/* The following two functions are exposed to bpftool */
+int bpf_core_add_cands(struct bpf_core_cand *local_cand,
+		       size_t local_essent_len,
+		       const struct btf *targ_btf,
+		       const char *targ_btf_name,
+		       int targ_start_id,
+		       struct bpf_core_cand_list *cands);
+void bpf_core_free_cands(struct bpf_core_cand_list *cands);
+
 #endif /* __LIBBPF_LIBBPF_INTERNAL_H */