sub deparse_format {
    use B::Deparse;
    # translate arg (or reference to it) into a B::* object
    my $Bobj = B::svref_2object(ref $_[0] ? $_[0] : \$_[0]);
    # if passed a glob or globref, get the format
    $Bobj = B::GV::FORM($Bobj) if ref $Bobj eq 'B::GV';

    if (ref $Bobj ne 'B::FM') {
        require Carp;
        Carp::croak "deparse_format: expected a glob, globref, or format ref";
    }

    my $deparser = B::Deparse::->new();
    return $deparser->indent($deparser->deparse_format($Bobj));
}