diff --git a/libraries/AP_Networking/AP_Networking.cpp b/libraries/AP_Networking/AP_Networking.cpp
index dd926a31e5..303b50ab98 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_Networking/AP_Networking.cpp
+++ b/libraries/AP_Networking/AP_Networking.cpp
@@ -442,6 +442,13 @@ int ap_networking_printf(const char *fmt, ...)
     return 0;
 }
 
+// address to string using a static return buffer
+const char *AP_Networking::address_to_str(uint32_t addr)
+{
+    static char buf[16]; // 16 for aaa.bbb.ccc.ddd
+    return SocketAPM::inet_addr_to_str(addr, buf, sizeof(buf));
+}
+
 #ifdef LWIP_PLATFORM_ASSERT
 void ap_networking_platform_assert(const char *msg, int line, const char *file)
 {
diff --git a/libraries/AP_Networking/AP_Networking.h b/libraries/AP_Networking/AP_Networking.h
index c83f0e26da..f5db359962 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_Networking/AP_Networking.h
+++ b/libraries/AP_Networking/AP_Networking.h
@@ -139,6 +139,9 @@ public:
     // convert string to ethernet mac address
     static bool convert_str_to_macaddr(const char *mac_str, uint8_t addr[6]);
 
+    // address to string using a static return buffer for scripting
+    static const char *address_to_str(uint32_t addr);
+    
     // helper functions to convert between 32bit Netmask and counting consecutive bits and back
     static uint32_t convert_netmask_bitcount_to_ip(const uint32_t netmask_bitcount);
     static uint8_t convert_netmask_ip_to_bitcount(const uint32_t netmask_ip);