diff --git a/source/org/jivesoftware/smack/packet/RosterPacket.java b/source/org/jivesoftware/smack/packet/RosterPacket.java
index 144fa45cc..bebc6e8fd 100644
--- a/source/org/jivesoftware/smack/packet/RosterPacket.java
+++ b/source/org/jivesoftware/smack/packet/RosterPacket.java
@@ -74,6 +74,17 @@ public class RosterPacket extends IQ {
         }
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Returns the number of roster items in this roster packet.
+     *
+     * @return the number of roster items.
+     */
+    public int getRosterItemCount() {
+        synchronized (rosterItems) {
+            return rosterItems.size();
+        }
+    }
+
     /**
      * Returns an Iterator for the roster items in the packet.
      *