diff --git a/tools/tracing/rtla/src/trace.c b/tools/tracing/rtla/src/trace.c
index 170a706248ab..440323a997c6 100644
--- a/tools/tracing/rtla/src/trace.c
+++ b/tools/tracing/rtla/src/trace.c
@@ -196,6 +196,14 @@ int trace_instance_start(struct trace_instance *trace)
 	return tracefs_trace_on(trace->inst);
 }
 
+/*
+ * trace_instance_stop - stop tracing a given rtla instance
+ */
+int trace_instance_stop(struct trace_instance *trace)
+{
+	return tracefs_trace_off(trace->inst);
+}
+
 /*
  * trace_events_free - free a list of trace events
  */
diff --git a/tools/tracing/rtla/src/trace.h b/tools/tracing/rtla/src/trace.h
index c7c92dc9a18a..76e1b77291ba 100644
--- a/tools/tracing/rtla/src/trace.h
+++ b/tools/tracing/rtla/src/trace.h
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ struct trace_instance {
 
 int trace_instance_init(struct trace_instance *trace, char *tool_name);
 int trace_instance_start(struct trace_instance *trace);
+int trace_instance_stop(struct trace_instance *trace);
 void trace_instance_destroy(struct trace_instance *trace);
 
 struct trace_seq *get_trace_seq(void);