diff --git a/artiq/examples/master/repository/core_pause.py b/artiq/examples/master/repository/core_pause.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f483f5f6b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/artiq/examples/master/repository/core_pause.py
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+from time import sleep
+
+from artiq.experiment import *
+
+
+class CorePause(EnvExperiment):
+    def build(self):
+        self.setattr_device("core")
+        self.setattr_device("scheduler")
+
+    @kernel
+    def k(self):
+        print("kernel starting")
+        while not self.scheduler.check_pause():
+            print("main kernel loop running...")
+            sleep(1)
+        print("kernel exiting")
+
+    def run(self):
+        while True:
+            self.k()
+            self.scheduler.pause()
diff --git a/artiq/frontend/artiq_master.py b/artiq/frontend/artiq_master.py
index 5d3d4e11e..105ca612c 100755
--- a/artiq/frontend/artiq_master.py
+++ b/artiq/frontend/artiq_master.py
@@ -95,7 +95,8 @@ def main():
         "scheduler_submit": scheduler.submit,
         "scheduler_delete": scheduler.delete,
         "scheduler_request_termination": scheduler.request_termination,
-        "scheduler_get_status": scheduler.get_status        
+        "scheduler_get_status": scheduler.get_status,
+        "scheduler_check_pause": scheduler.check_pause
     })
     experiment_db.scan_repository_async()
 
diff --git a/artiq/frontend/artiq_run.py b/artiq/frontend/artiq_run.py
index ef3004ada..a1a0323cd 100755
--- a/artiq/frontend/artiq_run.py
+++ b/artiq/frontend/artiq_run.py
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import h5py
 from llvmlite_artiq import binding as llvm
 
 from artiq.language.environment import EnvExperiment, ProcessArgumentManager
+from artiq.language.types import TBool
 from artiq.master.databases import DeviceDB, DatasetDB
 from artiq.master.worker_db import DeviceManager, DatasetManager
 from artiq.coredevice.core import CompileError, host_only
@@ -107,6 +108,9 @@ class DummyScheduler:
     def get_status(self):
         return dict()
 
+    def check_pause(self, rid=None) -> TBool:
+        return False
+
     @host_only
     def pause(self):
         pass
diff --git a/artiq/master/scheduler.py b/artiq/master/scheduler.py
index 6e41a8d48..2ae575c95 100644
--- a/artiq/master/scheduler.py
+++ b/artiq/master/scheduler.py
@@ -437,3 +437,30 @@ class Scheduler:
         """Returns a dictionary containing information about the runs currently
         tracked by the scheduler."""
         return self.notifier.read
+
+    def check_pause(self, rid):
+        """Returns ``True`` if there is a condition that could make ``pause``
+        not return immediately (termination requested or higher priority run).
+
+        The typical purpose of this function is to check from a kernel
+        whether returning control to the host and pausing would have an effect,
+        in order to avoid the cost of switching kernels in the common case
+        where ``pause`` does nothing.
+        """
+        for pipeline in self._pipelines.values():
+            if rid in pipeline.pool.runs:
+                run = pipeline.pool.runs[rid]
+                if run.status != RunStatus.running:
+                    return False
+                if run.termination_requested:
+                    return True
+
+                prepared_runs = filter(lambda r: r.status == RunStatus.prepare_done,
+                                       pipeline.pool.runs.values())
+                try:
+                    r = max(prepared_runs, key=lambda r: r.priority_key())
+                except ValueError:
+                    # prepared_runs is an empty sequence
+                    return False
+                return r.priority_key() > run.priority_key()
+        raise KeyError("RID not found")
diff --git a/artiq/master/worker_impl.py b/artiq/master/worker_impl.py
index 272b271d4..e1c6eb07a 100644
--- a/artiq/master/worker_impl.py
+++ b/artiq/master/worker_impl.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ from artiq.master.worker_db import DeviceManager, DatasetManager
 from artiq.language.environment import (is_experiment, TraceArgumentManager,
                                         ProcessArgumentManager)
 from artiq.language.core import set_watchdog_factory, TerminationRequested
+from artiq.language.types import TBool
 from artiq.coredevice.core import CompileError, host_only, _render_diagnostic
 from artiq import __version__ as artiq_version
 
@@ -96,6 +97,12 @@ class Scheduler:
         self.expid = expid
         self.priority = priority
 
+    _check_pause = staticmethod(make_parent_action("scheduler_check_pause"))
+    def check_pause(self, rid=None) -> TBool:
+        if rid is None:
+            rid = self.rid
+        return self._check_pause(rid)
+
 
 def get_exp(file, class_name):
     module = file_import(file, prefix="artiq_worker_")