diff --git a/src/dice/ffi/metall_internal.hpp b/src/dice/ffi/metall_internal.hpp
index 930062a..bbf5060 100644
--- a/src/dice/ffi/metall_internal.hpp
+++ b/src/dice/ffi/metall_internal.hpp
@@ -25,6 +25,10 @@ namespace dice::metall_ffi::internal {
           using allocator_type = typename metall::manager::template allocator_type<T>;
 
           using metall::manager::manager;
+
+          [[nodiscard]] bool read_only() const noexcept {
+               return read_only_;
+          }
      };
 #endif
 } // namespace