diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/media/effects/FadeEffect.java b/src/java/com/threerings/media/effects/FadeEffect.java
index a8b20b79d..dec37687e 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/media/effects/FadeEffect.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/media/effects/FadeEffect.java
@@ -52,6 +52,11 @@ public class FadeEffect
             (_alpha >= _target) : (_alpha <= _target);
     }
 
+    public float getAlpha ()
+    {
+        return _alpha;
+    }
+
     public boolean tick (long tickStamp)
     {
         // figure out the current alpha