diff --git a/src/util/Profile.ml b/src/util/Profile.ml
index c0d6b6ca..76737126 100644
--- a/src/util/Profile.ml
+++ b/src/util/Profile.ml
@@ -32,6 +32,8 @@ let null_probe = No_probe
 (* where to print events *)
 let out_ : backend option ref = ref None
 
+let[@inline] enabled () = match !out_ with Some _ -> true | None -> false
+
 let begin_with_ (module B:BACKEND) name : probe =
   Probe {name; start=B.get_ts ()}
 
diff --git a/src/util/Profile.mli b/src/util/Profile.mli
index ea3bb498..01cbc003 100644
--- a/src/util/Profile.mli
+++ b/src/util/Profile.mli
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ type probe
 
 val null_probe : probe
 
+val enabled : unit -> bool
+
 val instant : string -> unit
 
 val begin_ : string -> probe