diff --git a/plugins/spectate/pause.cpp b/plugins/spectate/pause.cpp
index fadf8d5e9..5c60e2194 100644
--- a/plugins/spectate/pause.cpp
+++ b/plugins/spectate/pause.cpp
@@ -166,6 +166,10 @@ bool World::DisablePlayerPausing() {
     return !allow_player_pause;
 }
 
+bool World::IsPlayerPausingEnabled() {
+    return allow_player_pause;
+}
+
 void World::Update() {
     static bool did_once = false;
     if (!did_once) {
diff --git a/plugins/spectate/pause.h b/plugins/spectate/pause.h
index ff4f8992d..286954683 100644
--- a/plugins/spectate/pause.h
+++ b/plugins/spectate/pause.h
@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ namespace DFHack {
 
         bool EnablePlayerPausing(); // enable player pausing if all locks are open
         bool DisablePlayerPausing(); // disable player pausing if all locks are open
+        bool IsPlayerPausingEnabled(); // returns whether the player can pause or not
 
         void Update();
     }