}
 EXPORT_SYMBOL(drm_atomic_set_fb_for_plane);
 
+/**
+ * drm_atomic_set_fence_for_plane - set fence for plane
+ * @plane_state: atomic state object for the plane
+ * @fence: dma_fence to use for the plane
+ *
+ * Helper to setup the plane_state fence in case it is not set yet.
+ * By using this drivers doesn't need to worry if the user choose
+ * implicit or explicit fencing.
+ *
+ * This function will not set the fence to the state if it was set
+ * via explicit fencing interfaces on the atomic ioctl. It will
+ * all drope the reference to the fence as we not storing it
+ * anywhere.
+ *
+ * Otherwise, if plane_state->fence is not set this function we
+ * just set it with the received implict fence.
+ */
+void
+drm_atomic_set_fence_for_plane(struct drm_plane_state *plane_state,
+                              struct dma_fence *fence)
+{
+       if (plane_state->fence) {
+               dma_fence_put(fence);
+               return;
+       }
+
+       plane_state->fence = fence;
+}
+EXPORT_SYMBOL(drm_atomic_set_fence_for_plane);
+
 /**
  * drm_atomic_set_crtc_for_connector - set crtc for connector
  * @conn_state: atomic state object for the connector
 
                              struct drm_crtc *crtc);
 void drm_atomic_set_fb_for_plane(struct drm_plane_state *plane_state,
                                 struct drm_framebuffer *fb);
+void drm_atomic_set_fence_for_plane(struct drm_plane_state *plane_state,
+                                   struct dma_fence *fence);
 int __must_check
 drm_atomic_set_crtc_for_connector(struct drm_connector_state *conn_state,
                                  struct drm_crtc *crtc);
 
 
        struct drm_crtc *crtc;   /* do not write directly, use drm_atomic_set_crtc_for_plane() */
        struct drm_framebuffer *fb;  /* do not write directly, use drm_atomic_set_fb_for_plane() */
-       struct dma_fence *fence;
+       struct dma_fence *fence; /* do not write directly, use drm_atomic_set_fence_for_plane() */
 
        /* Signed dest location allows it to be partially off screen */
        int32_t crtc_x, crtc_y;