diff --git a/include/wx/msw/ole/automtn.h b/include/wx/msw/ole/automtn.h
index 87f2ff1538..c119874092 100644
--- a/include/wx/msw/ole/automtn.h
+++ b/include/wx/msw/ole/automtn.h
@@ -38,8 +38,9 @@ public:
     virtual ~wxAutomationObject();
 
     // Set/get dispatch pointer
-    inline void SetDispatchPtr(WXIDISPATCH* dispatchPtr) { m_dispatchPtr = dispatchPtr; }
-    inline WXIDISPATCH* GetDispatchPtr() const { return m_dispatchPtr; }
+    void SetDispatchPtr(WXIDISPATCH* dispatchPtr) { m_dispatchPtr = dispatchPtr; }
+    WXIDISPATCH* GetDispatchPtr() const { return m_dispatchPtr; }
+    bool IsOk() const { return m_dispatchPtr != NULL; }
 
     // Get a dispatch pointer from the current object associated
     // with a class id, such as "Excel.Application"
diff --git a/interface/wx/msw/ole/automtn.h b/interface/wx/msw/ole/automtn.h
index 818169b0b1..f29b9f86c0 100644
--- a/interface/wx/msw/ole/automtn.h
+++ b/interface/wx/msw/ole/automtn.h
@@ -81,6 +81,16 @@ public:
     */
     bool CreateInstance(const wxString& classId) const;
 
+    /**
+        Checks if the object is in a valid state.
+
+        Returns @true if the object was successfully initialized or @false if
+        it has no valid IDispatch pointer.
+
+        @see GetDispatchPtr()
+     */
+    bool IsOk() const;
+
     /**
         Gets the IDispatch pointer.
     */