diff --git a/runtime/server.go b/runtime/server.go
index 0d2b71dea..a74c4d120 100644
--- a/runtime/server.go
+++ b/runtime/server.go
@@ -6,4 +6,5 @@ import (
 
 type Server interface {
 	LogEvent(action, id, from string) *utils.JSONMessage
+	IsRunning() bool // returns true if the server is currently in operation
 }