diff --git a/cpu/arm7_common/include/irq_arch.h b/cpu/arm7_common/include/irq_arch.h
index b7b2ee5b1b..a0dc04911a 100644
--- a/cpu/arm7_common/include/irq_arch.h
+++ b/cpu/arm7_common/include/irq_arch.h
@@ -70,6 +70,11 @@ static inline __attribute__((always_inline)) unsigned irq_enable(void)
     return _cpsr;
 }
 
+static inline __attribute__((always_inline)) int irq_is_enabled(void)
+{
+    return !(__get_cpsr() & IRQ_MASK);
+}
+
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 }
 #endif