diff --git a/motor.h b/motor.h
index ef0e8c24f801c2071cdeedb0da9a370126e74579..caa4718ee912db52e648f154dfe31a8291ffc9c7 100644
--- a/motor.h
+++ b/motor.h
@@ -76,6 +76,11 @@ public:
 #endif
     }
 
+    bool motorIsRunning ()  //return true if the motor is currently running
+    {
+        return (stepper.speed() != 0);
+    }
+
     void setAccelMmPerSecPerSec (float mmPerSecPerSec)
     {
         if (mmPerSecPerSec == 0)