diff --git a/core/model/DataObject.php b/core/model/DataObject.php
index 46f12b75f..1d85a8a2d 100644
--- a/core/model/DataObject.php
+++ b/core/model/DataObject.php
@@ -1222,6 +1222,17 @@ class DataObject extends ViewableData implements DataObjectInterface {
 		return array_key_exists($field, $this->record);
 	}
 
+	/**
+	 * Returns true if the given field exists as a database column
+	 *
+	 * @param string $field Name of the field
+	 *
+	 * @return boolean
+	 */
+	public function hasDatabaseField($field) {
+		return array_key_exists($field, $this->databaseFields());
+	}
+
 	/**
 	 * Returns true if the member is allowed to do the given action.
 	 *