diff --git a/Alpha_shapes_3/include/CGAL/Alpha_shape_3.h b/Alpha_shapes_3/include/CGAL/Alpha_shape_3.h
index ad08ebb48cf..5c657ffead6 100644
--- a/Alpha_shapes_3/include/CGAL/Alpha_shape_3.h
+++ b/Alpha_shapes_3/include/CGAL/Alpha_shape_3.h
@@ -416,7 +416,11 @@ public:
       return alpha_spectrum.size();
     }
 
-  
+  const Edge_alpha_map* get_edge_alpha_map() const
+  {
+     return  &edge_alpha_map;
+  }    
+    
   //---------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 private: