diff --git a/src/network/kernel/qauthenticator.cpp b/src/network/kernel/qauthenticator.cpp
index f7b956651f..ea935869fb 100644
--- a/src/network/kernel/qauthenticator.cpp
+++ b/src/network/kernel/qauthenticator.cpp
@@ -281,6 +281,15 @@ QString QAuthenticator::realm() const
     return d ? d->realm : QString();
 }
 
+/*!
+  \internal
+*/
+void QAuthenticator::setRealm(const QString &realm)
+{
+    detach();
+    d->realm = realm;
+}
+
 /*!
     \since 4.7
     Returns the value related to option \a opt if it was set by the server.
diff --git a/src/network/kernel/qauthenticator.h b/src/network/kernel/qauthenticator.h
index 4d96104bc0..2f440d660d 100644
--- a/src/network/kernel/qauthenticator.h
+++ b/src/network/kernel/qauthenticator.h
@@ -70,6 +70,7 @@ public:
     void setPassword(const QString &password);
 
     QString realm() const;
+    void setRealm(const QString &realm);
 
     QVariant option(const QString &opt) const;
     QVariantHash options() const;