diff --git a/dix/input_priv.h b/dix/input_priv.h
index 2b44b0679..0960f4dae 100644
--- a/dix/input_priv.h
+++ b/dix/input_priv.h
@@ -464,4 +464,17 @@ Bool IsKeyboardDevice(DeviceIntPtr dev)
 Bool InputDevIsMaster(DeviceIntPtr dev)
     _X_ATTRIBUTE_NONNULL_ARG(1);
 
+/*
+ * @brief check whether input device is floating
+ *
+ * when a slave device is grabbed directly (but not it's master), it's
+ * temporarily detached from the master (for as long as the grab is held)
+ * we call this state `floating`
+ *
+ * @param dev   device to check
+ * @return TRUE if the device is in `floating` state
+ */
+Bool IsFloating(DeviceIntPtr dev)
+    _X_ATTRIBUTE_NONNULL_ARG(1);
+
 #endif /* _XSERVER_INPUT_PRIV_H */
diff --git a/include/dix.h b/include/dix.h
index 6c083172f..05cb620c3 100644
--- a/include/dix.h
+++ b/include/dix.h
@@ -288,9 +288,6 @@ typedef struct {
     DeviceIntPtr device;
 } DeviceEventInfoRec;
 
-extern _X_EXPORT Bool
-IsFloating(DeviceIntPtr dev);
-
 extern _X_EXPORT void *lastGLContext;
 
 /**
diff --git a/render/animcur.c b/render/animcur.c
index f906cd813..171f4d308 100644
--- a/render/animcur.c
+++ b/render/animcur.c
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@
 #include <X11/Xmd.h>
 
 #include "dix/cursor_priv.h"
+#include "dix/input_priv.h"
 
 #include "servermd.h"
 #include "scrnintstr.h"