diff --git a/src/db/dbScan.c b/src/db/dbScan.c
index 771b69965..218e04ea9 100644
--- a/src/db/dbScan.c
+++ b/src/db/dbScan.c
@@ -285,6 +285,15 @@ void scanDelete(struct dbCommon *precord)
 	}
 	return;
 }
+
+double scanPeriod(int scan) {
+    if (scan>=SCAN_1ST_PERIODIC) {
+	int ind = scan - SCAN_1ST_PERIODIC;
+	scan_list *psl = papPeriodic[ind];
+	return (double) psl->ticks / vxTicksPerSecond;
+    }
+    return 0.0;
+}
 
 int scanppl(double rate)	/*print periodic list*/
 {
diff --git a/src/db/dbScan.h b/src/db/dbScan.h
index dcb4f8b89..684b9e0b9 100644
--- a/src/db/dbScan.h
+++ b/src/db/dbScan.h
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ long scanInit(void);
 void post_event(int event);
 void scanAdd(struct dbCommon *);
 void scanDelete(struct dbCommon *);
+double scanPeriod(int scan);
 void scanOnce(void *precord);
 int scanOnceSetQueueSize(int size);
 int scanppl(double rate);		/*print periodic lists*/