diff --git a/interfaces/cython/cantera/utils.py b/interfaces/cython/cantera/utils.py
index fd82e75eb..d793b0fec 100644
--- a/interfaces/cython/cantera/utils.py
+++ b/interfaces/cython/cantera/utils.py
@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
-from . import Solution
+import os
+import inspect
+
+from . import Solution, add_directory
 
 
 def import_phases(filename, phase_names):
@@ -7,3 +10,11 @@ def import_phases(filename, phase_names):
     entered as a list of strings.
     """
     return [Solution(filename, p) for p in phase_names]
+
+
+def add_module_directory():
+    """
+    Add the directory containing the module from which this function is called
+    to the Cantera input file search path.
+    """
+    add_directory(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(inspect.stack()[1][1])))