diff --git a/cache.h b/cache.h
index 4d02efc9054..40d06fde03b 100644
--- a/cache.h
+++ b/cache.h
@@ -43,6 +43,14 @@ int git_deflate_end_gently(git_zstream *);
 int git_deflate(git_zstream *, int flush);
 unsigned long git_deflate_bound(git_zstream *, unsigned long);
 
+/* The length in bytes and in hex digits of an object name (SHA-1 value). */
+#define GIT_SHA1_RAWSZ 20
+#define GIT_SHA1_HEXSZ (2 * GIT_SHA1_RAWSZ)
+
+struct object_id {
+	unsigned char hash[GIT_SHA1_RAWSZ];
+};
+
 #if defined(DT_UNKNOWN) && !defined(NO_D_TYPE_IN_DIRENT)
 #define DTYPE(de)	((de)->d_type)
 #else