diff --git a/base/include/hidl/Status.h b/base/include/hidl/Status.h
index 1be818d..f17c968 100644
--- a/base/include/hidl/Status.h
+++ b/base/include/hidl/Status.h
@@ -172,6 +172,12 @@
             return mStatus.isOk();
         }
 
+        // TODO(b/31348667) deprecate and replace with 'string description()'
+        const Status& getStatus() const {
+            mCheckedStatus = true;
+            return mStatus;
+        }
+
         // For debugging purposes only
         std::string description() const {
             // Doesn't consider checked.