diff --git a/kvm-all.c b/kvm-all.c
index 596e7ce..937bc9d 100644
--- a/kvm-all.c
+++ b/kvm-all.c
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@
     KVM_CAP_LAST_INFO
 };
 
-static KVMSlot *kvm_alloc_slot(KVMState *s)
+static KVMSlot *kvm_get_free_slot(KVMState *s)
 {
     int i;
 
@@ -142,6 +142,22 @@
         }
     }
 
+    return NULL;
+}
+
+bool kvm_has_free_slot(MachineState *ms)
+{
+    return kvm_get_free_slot(KVM_STATE(ms->accelerator));
+}
+
+static KVMSlot *kvm_alloc_slot(KVMState *s)
+{
+    KVMSlot *slot = kvm_get_free_slot(s);
+
+    if (slot) {
+        return slot;
+    }
+
     fprintf(stderr, "%s: no free slot available\n", __func__);
     abort();
 }