diff --git a/src/fu-usb-device.c b/src/fu-usb-device.c
index abbc0325a..9ee4a0745 100644
--- a/src/fu-usb-device.c
+++ b/src/fu-usb-device.c
@@ -118,6 +118,24 @@ fu_usb_device_class_init (FuUsbDeviceClass *klass)
 	g_object_class_install_property (object_class, PROP_USB_DEVICE, pspec);
 }
 
+/**
+ * fu_usb_device_is_open:
+ * @device: A #FuUsbDevice
+ *
+ * Finds out if a USB device is currently open.
+ *
+ * Returns: %TRUE if the device is open.
+ *
+ * Since: 1.0.3
+ **/
+gboolean
+fu_usb_device_is_open (FuUsbDevice *device)
+{
+	FuUsbDevicePrivate *priv = GET_PRIVATE (device);
+	g_return_val_if_fail (FU_IS_USB_DEVICE (device), FALSE);
+	return priv->usb_device_locker != NULL;
+}
+
 /**
  * fu_usb_device_open:
  * @device: A #FuUsbDevice
diff --git a/src/fu-usb-device.h b/src/fu-usb-device.h
index 985c2866c..487e7cec9 100644
--- a/src/fu-usb-device.h
+++ b/src/fu-usb-device.h
@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ gboolean	 fu_usb_device_close			(FuUsbDevice	*device,
 							 GError		**error);
 gboolean	 fu_usb_device_probe			(FuUsbDevice	*device,
 							 GError		**error);
+gboolean	 fu_usb_device_is_open			(FuUsbDevice	*device);
 
 G_END_DECLS