1diff --git a/src/rpy2/rinterface/__init__.py b/src/rpy2/rinterface/__init__.py
2index 0ba46083..1f4265aa 100644
3--- a/src/rpy2/rinterface/__init__.py
4+++ b/src/rpy2/rinterface/__init__.py
5@@ -1100,6 +1100,15 @@ NA = None
6 NA_Real = None
7 NA_Complex = None
8
9+def initr_simple() -> typing.Optional[int]:
10+ """Initialize R's embedded C library."""
11+ with openrlib.rlock:
12+ status = embedded._initr()
13+ atexit.register(endr, 0)
14+ _rinterface._register_external_symbols()
15+ _post_initr_setup()
16+ return status
17+
18
19 def initr(
20 interactive: typing.Optional[bool] = None,