diff --git a/libguac/include/protocol.h b/libguac/include/protocol.h
index fc73394d..a525ddab 100644
--- a/libguac/include/protocol.h
+++ b/libguac/include/protocol.h
@@ -180,6 +180,17 @@ typedef enum guac_line_join_style {
  */
 int guac_protocol_send_args(guac_socket* socket, const char** args);
 
+/**
+ * Sends a begin instruction over the given guac_socket connection.
+ *
+ * If an error occurs sending the instruction, a non-zero value is
+ * returned, and guac_error is set appropriately.
+ *
+ * @param socket The guac_socket connection to use.
+ * @return Zero on success, non-zero on error.
+ */
+int guac_protocol_send_begin(guac_socket* socket);
+
 /**
  * Sends a connect instruction over the given guac_socket connection.
  *
diff --git a/libguac/src/protocol.c b/libguac/src/protocol.c
index eba527d7..bda4b920 100644
--- a/libguac/src/protocol.c
+++ b/libguac/src/protocol.c
@@ -399,6 +399,9 @@ int guac_protocol_send_arc(guac_socket* socket, const guac_layer* layer,
 
 }
 
+int guac_protocol_send_begin(guac_socket* socket) {
+    return guac_socket_write_string(socket, "5.begin;");
+}
 
 int guac_protocol_send_cfill(guac_socket* socket,
         guac_composite_mode mode, const guac_layer* layer,