diff --git a/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash.cpp b/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash.cpp
index 648e07131e..3941052fd9 100644
--- a/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash.cpp
+++ b/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash.cpp
@@ -305,6 +305,18 @@ void DataFlash_Class::StartUnstartedLogging(void)
     }
 }
 
+bool DataFlash_Class::should_log() const
+{
+    if (!vehicle_is_armed() && !log_while_disarmed()) {
+        return false;
+    }
+    if (_next_backend == 0) {
+        return false;
+    }
+    return true;
+}
+
+
 #define FOR_EACH_BACKEND(methodcall)              \
     do {                                          \
         for (uint8_t i=0; i<_next_backend; i++) { \
diff --git a/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash.h b/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash.h
index 1ab1a0f39d..161b20b0e0 100644
--- a/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash.h
+++ b/libraries/DataFlash/DataFlash.h
@@ -167,6 +167,9 @@ public:
 
     void Log_Write_PID(uint8_t msg_type, const PID_Info &info);
 
+    // returns true of logging of a message should be attempted
+    bool should_log() const;
+
     bool logging_started(void);
 
 #if CONFIG_HAL_BOARD == HAL_BOARD_SITL || CONFIG_HAL_BOARD == HAL_BOARD_LINUX