diff --git a/extensions/openpower-pels/json_utils.hpp b/extensions/openpower-pels/json_utils.hpp
index f3fb767..e122f47 100644
--- a/extensions/openpower-pels/json_utils.hpp
+++ b/extensions/openpower-pels/json_utils.hpp
@@ -76,5 +76,12 @@
     return numString;
 }
 
+/**
+ * @brief helper function to trim trailing whitespaces
+ * @return std::string - trimmed string
+ * @param[in] std::string - string to trim
+ */
+std::string trimEnd(std::string s);
+
 } // namespace pels
 } // namespace openpower