diff --git a/gtsam/slam/dataset.cpp b/gtsam/slam/dataset.cpp
index 4bd7bc7e2..270dbeb95 100644
--- a/gtsam/slam/dataset.cpp
+++ b/gtsam/slam/dataset.cpp
@@ -1129,6 +1129,13 @@ bool readBAL(const string &filename, SfmData &data) {
   return true;
 }
 
+/* ************************************************************************* */
+SfmData readBal(const string &filename) {
+  SfmData data;
+  readBAL(filename, data);
+  return data;
+}
+
 /* ************************************************************************* */
 bool writeBAL(const string &filename, SfmData &data) {
   // Open the output file
diff --git a/gtsam/slam/dataset.h b/gtsam/slam/dataset.h
index 7ceca00f4..2e03c92d8 100644
--- a/gtsam/slam/dataset.h
+++ b/gtsam/slam/dataset.h
@@ -277,6 +277,14 @@ GTSAM_EXPORT bool readBundler(const std::string& filename, SfmData &data);
  */
 GTSAM_EXPORT bool readBAL(const std::string& filename, SfmData &data);
 
+/**
+ * @brief This function parses a "Bundle Adjustment in the Large" (BAL) file and returns the data
+ * as a SfmData structure. Mainly used by wrapped code.
+ * @param filename The name of the BAL file.
+ * @return SfM structure where the data is stored.
+ */
+GTSAM_EXPORT SfmData readBal(const std::string& filename);
+
 /**
  * @brief This function writes a "Bundle Adjustment in the Large" (BAL) file from a
  * SfmData structure