diff --git a/src/libstore/nix_api_store.cc b/src/libstore/nix_api_store.cc
index c81ad49ee..0cc1d1983 100644
--- a/src/libstore/nix_api_store.cc
+++ b/src/libstore/nix_api_store.cc
@@ -20,6 +20,15 @@ nix_err nix_libstore_init(nix_c_context *context) {
   NIXC_CATCH_ERRS
 }
 
+nix_err nix_init_plugins(nix_c_context *context) {
+  if (context)
+    context->last_err_code = NIX_OK;
+  try {
+    nix::initPlugins();
+  }
+  NIXC_CATCH_ERRS
+}
+
 Store *nix_store_open(nix_c_context *context, const char *uri,
                       const char ***params) {
   if (context)
diff --git a/src/libstore/nix_api_store.h b/src/libstore/nix_api_store.h
index bc01f0ad2..b15e161b3 100644
--- a/src/libstore/nix_api_store.h
+++ b/src/libstore/nix_api_store.h
@@ -35,6 +35,17 @@ typedef struct StorePath StorePath;
  */
 nix_err nix_libstore_init(nix_c_context *context);
 
+/**
+ * @brief Loads plugins specified in the settings
+ *
+ * Call this once, after calling your desired init functions and setting
+ * relevant settings.
+ *
+ * @param[out] context Optional, stores error information
+ * @return NIX_OK if the initialization was successful, an error code otherwise.
+ */
+nix_err nix_init_plugins(nix_c_context *context);
+
 /**
  * @brief Open a nix store
  * @param[out] context Optional, stores error information