diff --git a/Source/cmTarget.cxx b/Source/cmTarget.cxx
index d5274cd901..dc3944c583 100644
--- a/Source/cmTarget.cxx
+++ b/Source/cmTarget.cxx
@@ -83,6 +83,15 @@ void cmTarget::SetType(cmState::TargetType type, const std::string& name)
   }
 }
 
+cmTarget cmTarget::CopyForDirectory(cmMakefile* mf) const
+{
+  assert(this->GetType() == cmState::GLOBAL_TARGET);
+  assert(this->GetMakefile() == CM_NULLPTR);
+  cmTarget result(*this);
+  result.SetMakefile(mf);
+  return result;
+}
+
 void cmTarget::SetMakefile(cmMakefile* mf)
 {
   // Set our makefile.
diff --git a/Source/cmTarget.h b/Source/cmTarget.h
index fc30166f07..b0bfc7205f 100644
--- a/Source/cmTarget.h
+++ b/Source/cmTarget.h
@@ -86,6 +86,9 @@ public:
   ///! Set/Get the name of the target
   const std::string& GetName() const { return this->Name; }
 
+  /** Get a copy of this target adapted for the given directory.  */
+  cmTarget CopyForDirectory(cmMakefile* mf) const;
+
   ///! Set the cmMakefile that owns this target
   void SetMakefile(cmMakefile* mf);
   cmMakefile* GetMakefile() const { return this->Makefile; }