diff --git a/build/fietsje/planner.go b/build/fietsje/planner.go
index 3aaefef..a609884 100644
--- a/build/fietsje/planner.go
+++ b/build/fietsje/planner.go
@@ -188,6 +188,13 @@
 	}
 }
 
+// prePatches applies patches in affected dependencies before BUILD file generation.
+func prePatches(patches ...string) buildOpt {
+	return func(d *dependency) {
+		d.prePatches = patches
+	}
+}
+
 func forceBazelGeneration(d *dependency) {
 	d.forceBazelGeneration = true
 }