diff --git a/hledger-lib/Hledger/Data/Utils.hs b/hledger-lib/Hledger/Data/Utils.hs
index 691c61a54..a3ef1c5c6 100644
--- a/hledger-lib/Hledger/Data/Utils.hs
+++ b/hledger-lib/Hledger/Data/Utils.hs
@@ -269,10 +269,14 @@ showforest = concatMap showtree
 strace :: Show a => a -> a
 strace a = trace (show a) a
 
--- | labelled trace - like strace, with a newline and a label prepended
+-- | labelled trace - like strace, with a label prepended
 ltrace :: Show a => String -> a -> a
 ltrace l a = trace (l ++ ": " ++ show a) a
 
+-- | monadic trace - like strace, but works as a standalone line in a monad
+mtrace :: (Monad m, Show a) => a -> m a
+mtrace a = strace a `seq` return a
+
 -- | trace an expression using a custom show function
 tracewith f e = trace (f e) e