diff --git a/core/utils.py b/core/utils.py
index 192d2ec8..8a450a92 100644
--- a/core/utils.py
+++ b/core/utils.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ def filter_by_params(request, model, available_params):
 
 
 def duration_string(duration):
-    """Format hours, minutes and seconds in a human-friendly way (e.g. "2
+    """Format hours, minutes and seconds as a human-friendly string (e.g. "2
     hours, 25 minutes, 31 seconds")"""
     h, m, s = duration_parts(duration)
 
@@ -33,6 +33,12 @@ def duration_string(duration):
     return duration
 
 
+def duration_string_short(duration):
+    """Format hours, minutes and seconds as a short string (e.g. "0h2m35s")."""
+    h, m, s = duration_parts(duration)
+    return '{}h{}m{}s'.format(h, m, s)
+
+
 def duration_parts(duration):
     """Get hours, minutes and seconds from a timedelta."""
     if not isinstance(duration, timezone.timedelta):