diff --git a/artiq/coredevice/core.py b/artiq/coredevice/core.py
index f52bf2001..d592e5033 100644
--- a/artiq/coredevice/core.py
+++ b/artiq/coredevice/core.py
@@ -119,6 +119,10 @@ class Core(AutoDB):
         self.comm.run(func_def.name)
         self.comm.serve(rpc_map, exception_map)
 
+    @kernel
+    def get_rtio_time(self):
+        return cycles_to_time(syscall("rtio_get_counter"))
+
     @kernel
     def recover_underflow(self):
         t = syscall("rtio_get_counter") + self.initial_time