diff --git a/common/os_calls.c b/common/os_calls.c
index ac386a18..4c9d7327 100644
--- a/common/os_calls.c
+++ b/common/os_calls.c
@@ -2556,6 +2556,14 @@ g_directory_exist(const char *dirname)
 #endif
 }
 
+/*****************************************************************************/
+/* returns boolean, non zero if the file exists  and is a readable executable */
+int
+g_executable_exist(const char *exename)
+{
+    return access(exename, R_OK | X_OK) == 0;
+}
+
 /*****************************************************************************/
 /* returns boolean */
 int
diff --git a/common/os_calls.h b/common/os_calls.h
index c00cafda..6c10f045 100644
--- a/common/os_calls.h
+++ b/common/os_calls.h
@@ -242,6 +242,7 @@ int      g_set_current_dir(const char *dirname);
 int      g_file_exist(const char *filename);
 int      g_file_readable(const char *filename);
 int      g_directory_exist(const char *dirname);
+int      g_executable_exist(const char *dirname);
 int      g_create_dir(const char *dirname);
 int      g_create_path(const char *path);
 int      g_remove_dir(const char *dirname);