diff --git a/src/SMESH/SMESH_MesherHelper.hxx b/src/SMESH/SMESH_MesherHelper.hxx
index 80bd0affa..2d2494e27 100644
--- a/src/SMESH/SMESH_MesherHelper.hxx
+++ b/src/SMESH/SMESH_MesherHelper.hxx
@@ -283,6 +283,13 @@ public:
    */
   bool IsDegenShape(const int subShape) const
   { return myDegenShapeIds.find( subShape ) != myDegenShapeIds.end(); }
+  /*!
+   * \brief Check if the shape set through IsQuadraticSubMesh() or SetSubShape()
+   *        has a degenerated edges
+    * \retval bool - true if it has
+   */
+  bool HasDegenenaratedEdges() const { return !myDegenShapeIds.empty(); }
+
   /*!
    * \brief Check if shape is a seam edge or it's vertex
     * \param subShape - edge or vertex index in SMESHDS