diff --git a/core/net/rpl/rpl-dag.c b/core/net/rpl/rpl-dag.c
index 7b1908cfe..cffc4738b 100644
--- a/core/net/rpl/rpl-dag.c
+++ b/core/net/rpl/rpl-dag.c
@@ -517,6 +517,12 @@ rpl_set_default_instance(rpl_instance_t *instance)
   default_instance = instance;
 }
 /*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+rpl_instance_t *
+rpl_get_default_instance(void)
+{
+  return default_instance;
+}
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 void
 rpl_free_instance(rpl_instance_t *instance)
 {
diff --git a/core/net/rpl/rpl-private.h b/core/net/rpl/rpl-private.h
index a9ca3f375..3dd0ac178 100644
--- a/core/net/rpl/rpl-private.h
+++ b/core/net/rpl/rpl-private.h
@@ -320,4 +320,7 @@ void rpl_reset_periodic_timer(void);
 /* Route poisoning. */
 void rpl_poison_routes(rpl_dag_t *, rpl_parent_t *);
 
+
+rpl_instance_t *rpl_get_default_instance(void);
+
 #endif /* RPL_PRIVATE_H */