diff --git a/libraries/AP_RangeFinder/AP_RangeFinder.h b/libraries/AP_RangeFinder/AP_RangeFinder.h
index 675c7a00be..5a9831b6b4 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_RangeFinder/AP_RangeFinder.h
+++ b/libraries/AP_RangeFinder/AP_RangeFinder.h
@@ -139,6 +139,11 @@ public:
 
     AP_RangeFinder_Backend *get_backend(uint8_t id) const;
 
+    // get rangefinder type for an ID
+    Type get_type(uint8_t id) const {
+        return id >= RANGEFINDER_MAX_INSTANCES? Type::NONE : Type(params[id].type.get());
+    }
+
     // methods to return a distance on a particular orientation from
     // any sensor which can current supply it
     uint16_t distance_cm_orient(enum Rotation orientation) const;