diff --git a/beat/backend/python/algorithm.py b/beat/backend/python/algorithm.py
index 2510064480b12c9d194eeb4b9271b42aa96725ce..22b938c866a9de672c37d36952772ca5e36bd689 100644
--- a/beat/backend/python/algorithm.py
+++ b/beat/backend/python/algorithm.py
@@ -613,6 +613,14 @@ class Algorithm(object):
         return self.data.get('type', Algorithm.SEQUENTIAL)
 
 
+    @property
+    def is_autonomous(self):
+        """ Returns whether the algorithm is in the autonomous category"""
+        return self.type in [Algorithm.AUTONOMOUS,
+                             Algorithm.LOOP_USER,
+                             Algorithm.LOOP]
+
+
     @language.setter
     def language(self, value):
         """Sets the current executable code programming language"""