diff --git a/hardware/arduino/avr/libraries/SoftwareSerial/SoftwareSerial.h b/hardware/arduino/avr/libraries/SoftwareSerial/SoftwareSerial.h
index e28da98e5..274f3df31 100644
--- a/hardware/arduino/avr/libraries/SoftwareSerial/SoftwareSerial.h
+++ b/hardware/arduino/avr/libraries/SoftwareSerial/SoftwareSerial.h
@@ -101,6 +101,7 @@ public:
   virtual int read();
   virtual int available();
   virtual void flush();
+  operator bool() { return true; }
   
   using Print::write;