diff --git a/src/util/backports.hpp b/src/util/backports.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..19b33c4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/util/backports.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+/* -*- Mode:C++; c-file-style:"gnu"; indent-tabs-mode:nil; -*- */
+/**
+ * Copyright (c) 2015, Regents of the University of California,
+ *                     Arizona Board of Regents,
+ *                     Colorado State University,
+ *                     University Pierre & Marie Curie, Sorbonne University,
+ *                     Washington University in St. Louis,
+ *                     Beijing Institute of Technology,
+ *                     The University of Memphis.
+ *
+ * This file is part of ndn-cxx library (NDN C++ library with eXperimental eXtensions).
+ *
+ * ndn-cxx library is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the
+ * terms of the GNU Lesser General Public License as published by the Free Software
+ * Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * ndn-cxx library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY
+ * WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A
+ * PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU Lesser General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received copies of the GNU General Public License and GNU Lesser
+ * General Public License along with ndn-cxx, e.g., in COPYING.md file.  If not, see
+ * <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ *
+ * See AUTHORS.md for complete list of ndn-cxx authors and contributors.
+ */
+
+#ifndef NDN_UTIL_BACKPORTS_HPP
+#define NDN_UTIL_BACKPORTS_HPP
+
+#include "../common.hpp"
+
+namespace ndn {
+
+#if __cpp_lib_make_unique
+using std::make_unique;
+#else
+template<typename T, typename... Args>
+inline unique_ptr<T>
+make_unique(Args&&... args)
+{
+  return unique_ptr<T>(new T(std::forward<Args>(args)...));
+}
+#endif // __cpp_lib_make_unique
+
+} // namespace ndn
+
+#endif // NDN_UTIL_BACKPORTS_HPP