diff --git a/src/pkg/utils/utils.go b/src/pkg/utils/utils.go
index 3f0ddd8..a4f478b 100644
--- a/src/pkg/utils/utils.go
+++ b/src/pkg/utils/utils.go
@@ -271,6 +271,12 @@ func GetMountOptions(target string) (string, error) {
 	return mountOptions, nil
 }
 
+// ImageReferenceCanBeID checks if 'image' might be the ID of an image
+func ImageReferenceCanBeID(image string) (bool, error) {
+	matched, err := regexp.MatchString("^[a-f0-9]\\{6,64\\}$", image)
+	return matched, err
+}
+
 // ShortID shortens provided id to first 12 characters.
 func ShortID(id string) string {
 	if len(id) > idTruncLength {