diff --git a/pisi/graph.py b/pisi/graph.py
index fad737a2..9941750d 100644
--- a/pisi/graph.py
+++ b/pisi/graph.py
@@ -20,6 +20,11 @@ class digraph(object):
                 l.append( (u,v) )
         return l
 
+    def from_edge_list(self, el):
+        "convert a list of edges (u,v) to graph"
+        for (u,v) in el:
+            self.add_edge(u,v)
+
     def add_vertex(u, data = None):
         "add vertex u, optionally with data"
         assert not u in self.__v