diff --git a/bitkeylib/transport.py b/bitkeylib/transport.py
index fb47cfe..9a6f8fd 100644
--- a/bitkeylib/transport.py
+++ b/bitkeylib/transport.py
@@ -19,6 +19,9 @@ class Transport(object):
     def _read(self):
         raise NotImplemented
     
+    def ready_to_read(self):
+        raise NotImplemented
+        
     def close(self):
         self._close()
         
@@ -26,7 +29,7 @@ class Transport(object):
         ser = msg.SerializeToString()
         header = struct.pack(">HL", mapping.get_type(msg), len(ser))
         self._write("##%s%s" % (header, ser))
-            
+
     def read(self):
         (msg_type, data) = self._read()
         inst = mapping.get_class(msg_type)()
diff --git a/bitkeylib/transport_pipe.py b/bitkeylib/transport_pipe.py
index 21abdd6..ee27857 100644
--- a/bitkeylib/transport_pipe.py
+++ b/bitkeylib/transport_pipe.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 Use this transport for talking with bitkey simulator.'''
 
 import os
-
+from select import select
 from transport import Transport
 
 class PipeTransport(Transport):
@@ -38,6 +38,10 @@ class PipeTransport(Transport):
             os.unlink(self.filename_read)
             os.unlink(self.filename_write)
 
+    def ready_to_read(self):
+        rlist, _, _ = select([self.read_f], [], [], 0)
+        return len(rlist) > 0
+    
     def _write(self, msg):
         try:
             self.write_f.write(msg)
diff --git a/bitkeylib/transport_serial.py b/bitkeylib/transport_serial.py
index 8820096..8568c94 100644
--- a/bitkeylib/transport_serial.py
+++ b/bitkeylib/transport_serial.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 # Local serial port loopback: socat PTY,link=COM8 PTY,link=COM9
 
 import serial
-
+from select import select
 from transport import Transport
 
 class SerialTransport(Transport):
@@ -18,6 +18,10 @@ class SerialTransport(Transport):
         self.serial.close()
         self.serial = None
     
+    def ready_to_read(self):
+        rlist, _, _ = select([self.serial], [], [], 0)
+        return len(rlist) > 0
+    
     def _write(self, msg):
         try:
             self.serial.write(msg)