diff --git a/bindings/java/src/net/hyperic/sigar/SigarLoader.java b/bindings/java/src/net/hyperic/sigar/SigarLoader.java
index 9f9c8d0e..8941b93d 100644
--- a/bindings/java/src/net/hyperic/sigar/SigarLoader.java
+++ b/bindings/java/src/net/hyperic/sigar/SigarLoader.java
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import net.hyperic.jni.ArchNotSupportedException;
 public class SigarLoader extends ArchLoader {
 
     private static String location = null;
+    private static String nativeName = null;
 
     public SigarLoader(Class loaderClass) {
         super(loaderClass);
@@ -52,4 +53,21 @@ public class SigarLoader extends ArchLoader {
         }
         return location;
     }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns the name of the native sigar library.
+     */
+    public synchronized static String getNativeLibraryName() {
+        if (nativeName == null) {
+            SigarLoader loader = new SigarLoader(Sigar.class);
+
+            try {
+                nativeName = loader.getLibraryName();
+            } catch (ArchNotSupportedException e) {
+                nativeName = null;
+            }
+        }
+
+        return nativeName;
+    }
 }