diff --git a/src/modules/RF69/RF69.cpp b/src/modules/RF69/RF69.cpp
index b47c522e..8ddf23b1 100644
--- a/src/modules/RF69/RF69.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/RF69/RF69.cpp
@@ -18,8 +18,8 @@ int16_t RF69::begin(float freq, float br, float freqDev, float rxBw, int8_t powe
     reset();
 
     // check version register
-    uint8_t version = _mod->SPIreadRegister(RF69_REG_VERSION);
-    if(version == 0x24) {
+    int16_t version = getChipVersion();
+    if(version == RF69_CHIP_VERSION) {
       flagFound = true;
     } else {
       #ifdef RADIOLIB_DEBUG
@@ -783,6 +783,10 @@ uint8_t RF69::random() {
   return(randByte);
 }
 
+int16_t RF69::getChipVersion() {
+  return(_mod->SPIgetRegValue(RF69_REG_VERSION));
+}
+
 int16_t RF69::config() {
   int16_t state = ERR_NONE;
 
diff --git a/src/modules/RF69/RF69.h b/src/modules/RF69/RF69.h
index 0c2294a2..e2c1d0a1 100644
--- a/src/modules/RF69/RF69.h
+++ b/src/modules/RF69/RF69.h
@@ -162,6 +162,9 @@
 // RF69_REG_LISTEN_3
 #define RF69_LISTEN_COEF_RX                           0x20        //  7     0     duration of Rx phase in Listen mode
 
+// RF69_REG_VERSION
+#define RF69_CHIP_VERSION                             0x24        //  7     0
+
 // RF69_REG_PA_LEVEL
 #define RF69_PA0_OFF                                  0b00000000  //  7     7     PA0 disabled
 #define RF69_PA0_ON                                   0b10000000  //  7     7     PA0 enabled (default)
@@ -827,6 +830,13 @@ class RF69: public PhysicalLayer {
    */
     uint8_t random();
 
+    /*!
+     \brief Read version SPI register. Should return RF69_CHIP_VERSION (0x24) if SX127x is connected and working.
+
+     \returns Version register contents or \ref status_codes
+   */
+    int16_t getChipVersion();
+
 #ifndef RADIOLIB_GODMODE
   protected:
 #endif