diff --git a/evennia/scripts/taskhandler.py b/evennia/scripts/taskhandler.py
index d00b4cd91e..6c648b3360 100644
--- a/evennia/scripts/taskhandler.py
+++ b/evennia/scripts/taskhandler.py
@@ -230,6 +230,32 @@ class TaskHandler(object):
         else:
             return False
 
+    def active(self, task_id):
+        """
+        Check if a task is active (has not been called yet).
+
+        Args:
+            task_id (int): an existing task ID.
+
+        Returns:
+            True (bool): If a task is active (has not been called yet).
+            False (bool): if the task
+                is not active (has already been called),
+                does not exist
+        """
+        if task_id in self.tasks:
+            # if the task has not been run, cancel it
+            d = self.get_deferred(task_id)
+            if d:  # it is remotely possible for a task to not have a deferral
+                if d.called:
+                    return False
+                else:  # the callback has not been called yet.
+                    return True
+            else:  # this task has no deferral, and could not have been called
+                return True
+        else:
+            return False
+
 
     def cancel(self, task_id):
         """
diff --git a/evennia/utils/tests/test_utils.py b/evennia/utils/tests/test_utils.py
index 60e85e34a7..c5bf20d032 100644
--- a/evennia/utils/tests/test_utils.py
+++ b/evennia/utils/tests/test_utils.py
@@ -331,23 +331,28 @@ class TestDelay(EvenniaTest):
         self.char1.ndb.dummy_var = False
         # test a persistent deferral, that completes after delay time
         task_id = utils.delay(timedelay, dummy_func, self.char1.dbref, persistent=True)
+        self.assertTrue(_TASK_HANDLER.active(task_id))
         _TASK_HANDLER.clock.advance(timedelay)  # make time pass
         self.assertEqual(self.char1.ndb.dummy_var, 'dummy_func ran')
         self.char1.ndb.dummy_var = False
         # test a non persisten deferral, that completes after delay time.
         utils.delay(timedelay, dummy_func, self.char1.dbref)
+        self.assertTrue(_TASK_HANDLER.active(task_id))
         _TASK_HANDLER.clock.advance(timedelay)  # make time pass
         self.assertEqual(self.char1.ndb.dummy_var, 'dummy_func ran')
         self.char1.ndb.dummy_var = False
         # test a non persisten deferral, with a short timedelay
         utils.delay(.1, dummy_func, self.char1.dbref)
+        self.assertTrue(_TASK_HANDLER.active(task_id))
         _TASK_HANDLER.clock.advance(.1)  # make time pass
         self.assertEqual(self.char1.ndb.dummy_var, 'dummy_func ran')
         self.char1.ndb.dummy_var = False
         # test canceling a deferral.
         # after this the task_id 1 remains used by this canceled but unused task
         task_id = utils.delay(timedelay, dummy_func, self.char1.dbref)
+        self.assertTrue(_TASK_HANDLER.active(task_id))
         success = _TASK_HANDLER.cancel(task_id)
+        self.assertFalse(_TASK_HANDLER.active(task_id))
         self.assertTrue(success)
         self.assertTrue(_TASK_HANDLER.exists(task_id))
         _TASK_HANDLER.clock.advance(timedelay)  # make time pass
@@ -355,15 +360,19 @@ class TestDelay(EvenniaTest):
         self.char1.ndb.dummy_var = False
         # test removing an active task
         task_id = utils.delay(timedelay, dummy_func, self.char1.dbref)
+        self.assertTrue(_TASK_HANDLER.active(task_id))
         success = _TASK_HANDLER.remove(task_id)
+        self.assertFalse(_TASK_HANDLER.active(task_id))
         _TASK_HANDLER.clock.advance(timedelay)  # make time pass
         self.assertEqual(self.char1.ndb.dummy_var, False)
         self.assertFalse(_TASK_HANDLER.exists(task_id))
         self.char1.ndb.dummy_var = False
         # test removing a canceled active task
         task_id = utils.delay(timedelay, dummy_func, self.char1.dbref)
+        self.assertTrue(_TASK_HANDLER.active(task_id))
         deferal_inst = _TASK_HANDLER.get_deferred(task_id)
         deferal_inst.cancel()
+        self.assertFalse(_TASK_HANDLER.active(task_id))
         success = _TASK_HANDLER.remove(task_id)
         _TASK_HANDLER.clock.advance(timedelay)  # make time pass
         self.assertEqual(self.char1.ndb.dummy_var, False)