diff --git a/src/virtual-machine.js b/src/virtual-machine.js
index d73d8ce7e..d2e5f929e 100644
--- a/src/virtual-machine.js
+++ b/src/virtual-machine.js
@@ -927,6 +927,14 @@ class VirtualMachine extends EventEmitter {
         return this.extensionManager.refreshBlocks();
     }
 
+    /**
+     * get the current locale for the VM
+     * @returns {string} the current locale in the VM
+     */
+    getLocale () {
+        return formatMessage.setup().locale;
+    }
+
     /**
      * Handle a Blockly event for the current editing target.
      * @param {!Blockly.Event} e Any Blockly event.