diff --git a/python/helpers/typeshed/stdlib/_typeshed/__init__.pyi b/python/helpers/typeshed/stdlib/_typeshed/__init__.pyi
index a3f56899247b..1eec268d5c31 100644
--- a/python/helpers/typeshed/stdlib/_typeshed/__init__.pyi
+++ b/python/helpers/typeshed/stdlib/_typeshed/__init__.pyi
@@ -23,6 +23,9 @@ _T_contra = TypeVar("_T_contra", contravariant=True)
 #   def __enter__(self: Self) -> Self: ...
 Self = TypeVar("Self")  # noqa Y001
 
+# covariant version of typing.AnyStr, useful for protocols
+AnyStr_co = TypeVar("AnyStr_co", str, bytes, covariant=True)  # noqa: Y001
+
 # stable
 class IdentityFunction(Protocol):
     def __call__(self, __x: _T) -> _T: ...