diff --git a/scripts/gdb/linux/utils.py b/scripts/gdb/linux/utils.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f883611
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/gdb/linux/utils.py
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+#
+# gdb helper commands and functions for Linux kernel debugging
+#
+#  common utilities
+#
+# Copyright (c) Siemens AG, 2011-2013
+#
+# Authors:
+#  Jan Kiszka <jan.kiszka@siemens.com>
+#
+# This work is licensed under the terms of the GNU GPL version 2.
+#
+
+import gdb
+
+
+class CachedType:
+    def __init__(self, name):
+        self._type = None
+        self._name = name
+
+    def _new_objfile_handler(self, event):
+        self._type = None
+        gdb.events.new_objfile.disconnect(self._new_objfile_handler)
+
+    def get_type(self):
+        if self._type is None:
+            self._type = gdb.lookup_type(self._name)
+            if self._type is None:
+                raise gdb.GdbError(
+                    "cannot resolve type '{0}'".format(self._name))
+            if hasattr(gdb, 'events') and hasattr(gdb.events, 'new_objfile'):
+                gdb.events.new_objfile.connect(self._new_objfile_handler)
+        return self._type