diff --git a/arch/arm/mach-imx/spl.c b/arch/arm/mach-imx/spl.c
index a9079fc..b2521b2 100644
--- a/arch/arm/mach-imx/spl.c
+++ b/arch/arm/mach-imx/spl.c
@@ -132,6 +132,29 @@
 }
 #endif
 
+#if defined(CONFIG_SPL_MMC_SUPPORT)
+/* called from spl_mmc to see type of boot mode for storage (RAW or FAT) */
+u32 spl_boot_mode(const u32 boot_device)
+{
+	switch (spl_boot_device()) {
+	/* for MMC return either RAW or FAT mode */
+	case BOOT_DEVICE_MMC1:
+	case BOOT_DEVICE_MMC2:
+#if defined(CONFIG_SPL_FAT_SUPPORT)
+		return MMCSD_MODE_FS;
+#elif defined(CONFIG_SUPPORT_EMMC_BOOT)
+		return MMCSD_MODE_EMMCBOOT;
+#else
+		return MMCSD_MODE_RAW;
+#endif
+		break;
+	default:
+		puts("spl: ERROR:  unsupported device\n");
+		hang();
+	}
+}
+#endif
+
 #if defined(CONFIG_SECURE_BOOT)
 
 /*