diff --git a/src/lib/data.rb b/src/lib/data.rb
index 53d2dea..5b8fa56 100644
--- a/src/lib/data.rb
+++ b/src/lib/data.rb
@@ -45,6 +45,14 @@ module Charred
       end
     end
 
+    def put_or_merge(dict, key, value)
+      if(dict[key])
+        verbose_merge dict[key], value
+      else
+        dict[key] = value
+      end
+    end
+
     def lifepath_requirements(expr)
       if expr.is_a? Numeric
         []