diff --git a/src/modules/CC1101/CC1101.cpp b/src/modules/CC1101/CC1101.cpp
index dfe67bc2..b5499504 100644
--- a/src/modules/CC1101/CC1101.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/CC1101/CC1101.cpp
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ int16_t CC1101::begin(float freq, float br, float freqDev, float rxBw, int8_t po
   uint8_t i = 0;
   bool flagFound = false;
   while((i < 10) && !flagFound) {
-    uint8_t version = SPIreadRegister(CC1101_REG_VERSION);
+    int16_t version = getChipVersion();
     if((version == CC1101_VERSION_CURRENT) || (version == CC1101_VERSION_LEGACY)) {
       flagFound = true;
     } else {
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ int16_t CC1101::begin(float freq, float br, float freqDev, float rxBw, int8_t po
         char buffHex[7];
         sprintf(buffHex, "0x%04X", version);
         RADIOLIB_DEBUG_PRINT(buffHex);
-        RADIOLIB_DEBUG_PRINT(F(", expected 0x0014"));
+        RADIOLIB_DEBUG_PRINT(F(", expected 0x0004/0x0014"));
         RADIOLIB_DEBUG_PRINTLN();
       #endif
       Module::delay(10);
@@ -751,6 +751,11 @@ uint8_t CC1101::random() {
   return(randByte);
 }
 
+
+int16_t CC1101::getChipVersion() {
+  return(_mod->SPIgetRegValue(CC1101_REG_VERSION));
+}
+
 int16_t CC1101::config() {
   // Reset the radio. Registers may be dirty from previous usage.
   SPIsendCommand(CC1101_CMD_RESET);
diff --git a/src/modules/CC1101/CC1101.h b/src/modules/CC1101/CC1101.h
index 850df7ac..51432c1a 100644
--- a/src/modules/CC1101/CC1101.h
+++ b/src/modules/CC1101/CC1101.h
@@ -882,6 +882,13 @@ class CC1101: public PhysicalLayer {
    */
     uint8_t random();
 
+    /*!
+     \brief Read version SPI register. Should return CC1101_VERSION_LEGACY (0x04) or CC1101_VERSION_CURRENT (0x14) if CC1101 is connected and working.
+
+     \returns Version register contents or \ref status_codes
+   */
+    int16_t getChipVersion();
+
 #ifndef RADIOLIB_GODMODE
   private:
 #endif