diff --git a/include/conio.c b/include/conio.c
index ea6a5b7..74226d0 100644
--- a/include/conio.c
+++ b/include/conio.c
@@ -220,6 +220,17 @@ int getch(void)
 	}
 }
 
+int getchx(void)
+{
+	__asm
+	{
+		jsr	getpch
+		sta	accu
+		lda	#0
+		sta	accu + 1		
+	}
+}
+
 void putch(int c)
 {
 	__asm {
diff --git a/include/conio.h b/include/conio.h
index 370e5d8..28a72b4 100644
--- a/include/conio.h
+++ b/include/conio.h
@@ -25,6 +25,10 @@ int getche(void);
 
 int getch(void);
 
+// like getch but does not wait, returns zero if no
+// key is pressed
+int getchx(void);
+
 void putch(int c);
 
 void clrscr(void);