diff --git a/nserver.c b/nserver.c
index 574063c8..f4a2cce0 100644
--- a/nserver.c
+++ b/nserver.c
@@ -564,4 +564,8 @@
      
      TaskSignal(pTasker,SICSBROADCAST,pMessage);     
   }
-
+/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+  int ServerIsStarting(pServer self)
+  {
+    return self->pReader == NULL;
+  }
diff --git a/nserver.h b/nserver.h
index 2b9551ed..3c644041 100644
--- a/nserver.h
+++ b/nserver.h
@@ -50,4 +50,5 @@
                   int argc, char *argv[]);
 
      int SicsWait(long lTime);
+     int ServerIsStarting(pServer self);
 #endif