diff --git a/Messages.hs b/Messages.hs
index 89f78e2441..ed4f3b90a1 100644
--- a/Messages.hs
+++ b/Messages.hs
@@ -20,6 +20,9 @@ verbose a = do
 	q <- Annex.flagIsSet "quiet"
 	unless q a
 
+showSideAction :: String -> Annex ()
+showSideAction s = verbose $ liftIO $ putStrLn $ "(" ++ s ++ ")"
+
 showStart :: String -> String -> Annex ()
 showStart command file = verbose $ do
 	liftIO $ putStr $ command ++ " " ++ file ++ " "