diff --git a/include/mraa_internal.h b/include/mraa_internal.h
index 2588026..428876d 100644
--- a/include/mraa_internal.h
+++ b/include/mraa_internal.h
@@ -67,6 +67,13 @@ mraa_platform_t mraa_arm_platform();
  */
 mraa_platform_t mraa_usb_platform_extender(mraa_board_t* board);
 
+/**
+ * runtime detect iio subsystem
+ *
+ * @return mraa_result_t indicating success of iio detection
+ */
+mraa_result_t mraa_iio_detect();
+
 /**
  * helper function to check if file exists
  *