diff --git a/src/client/client.cpp b/src/client/client.cpp
index 75d95cb..0770f84 100644
--- a/src/client/client.cpp
+++ b/src/client/client.cpp
@@ -279,6 +279,12 @@ ClientProvider::ClientProvider(const std::tr1::shared_ptr<epics::pvAccess::Chann
 
 ClientProvider::~ClientProvider() {}
 
+std::string
+ClientProvider::name() const
+{
+    return impl->provider->getProviderName();
+}
+
 ClientChannel
 ClientProvider::connect(const std::string& name,
                             const ClientChannel::Options& conf)
diff --git a/src/client/pva/client.h b/src/client/pva/client.h
index 0c6b364..2da8e67 100644
--- a/src/client/pva/client.h
+++ b/src/client/pva/client.h
@@ -481,6 +481,8 @@ public:
     explicit ClientProvider(const std::tr1::shared_ptr<epics::pvAccess::ChannelProvider>& provider);
     ~ClientProvider();
 
+    std::string name() const;
+
     /** Get a new Channel
      *
      * Does not block.