diff --git a/libraries/AP_Networking/AP_Networking.cpp b/libraries/AP_Networking/AP_Networking.cpp
index df2f207e9c..76c7e95b5f 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_Networking/AP_Networking.cpp
+++ b/libraries/AP_Networking/AP_Networking.cpp
@@ -292,4 +292,31 @@ AP_Networking &network()
 }
 }
 
+/*
+  debug printfs from LWIP
+ */
+int ap_networking_printf(const char *fmt, ...)
+{
+#ifdef AP_NETWORKING_LWIP_DEBUG_PORT
+    static AP_HAL::UARTDriver *uart;
+    if (uart == nullptr) {
+        uart = hal.serial(AP_NETWORKING_LWIP_DEBUG_PORT);
+        if (uart == nullptr) {
+            return -1;
+        }
+        uart->begin(921600, 0, 50000);
+    }
+    va_list ap;
+    va_start(ap, fmt);
+    uart->vprintf(fmt, ap);
+    va_end(ap);
+#else
+    va_list ap;
+    va_start(ap, fmt);
+    hal.console->vprintf(fmt, ap);
+    va_end(ap);
+#endif
+    return 0;
+}
+
 #endif // AP_NETWORKING_ENABLED
diff --git a/libraries/AP_Networking/AP_Networking.h b/libraries/AP_Networking/AP_Networking.h
index 1359b3abe5..5c3b52be73 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_Networking/AP_Networking.h
+++ b/libraries/AP_Networking/AP_Networking.h
@@ -319,4 +319,8 @@ namespace AP
     AP_Networking &network();
 };
 
+extern "C" {
+int ap_networking_printf(const char *fmt, ...);
+}
+
 #endif // AP_NETWORKING_ENABLED