diff --git a/drivers/SAI.cpp b/drivers/SAI.cpp
index 35132063c4c..60f770c80f3 100644
--- a/drivers/SAI.cpp
+++ b/drivers/SAI.cpp
@@ -38,9 +38,7 @@ SAI::SAI(PinName mclk, PinName bclk, PinName wclk, PinName sd,
 
     init.format = *fmt;
 
-    if (sai_init(&_sai, &init) != SAI_RESULT_OK) {
-        // it failed :o
-    }
+    _status = sai_init(&_sai, &init);
 }
 
 bool SAI::xfer(uint32_t *value) {
@@ -50,6 +48,10 @@ bool SAI::xfer(uint32_t *value) {
     return ret;
 }
 
+sai_result_t SAI::status(void) {
+    return _status;
+}
+
 void SAI::lock() {
     _mutex.lock();
 }
diff --git a/drivers/SAI.h b/drivers/SAI.h
index ec841ace3be..a03bd4fd8da 100644
--- a/drivers/SAI.h
+++ b/drivers/SAI.h
@@ -41,11 +41,19 @@ class SAI : private NonCopyable<SAI> {
         const sai_format_t *fmt = &sai_mode_i2s32, bool is_input = false,
         uint32_t master_clock = 0, bool internal_mclk = false);
 
+    /** Retreive the object status. Allows the ctor to
+     * funnel init errors/warnings back up to the application.
+     */
+    virtual sai_result_t status(void);
+    
     /** Push a sample to the Fifo & try to read a new sample.
      * it may return 0 if no sample was available.
      */
     virtual bool xfer(uint32_t *value);
 
+    virtual ~SAI() {}
+
+protected:
     /** Acquire exclusive access to this SAI bus
      */
     virtual void lock(void);
@@ -54,17 +62,14 @@ class SAI : private NonCopyable<SAI> {
      */
     virtual void unlock(void);
 
-
-public:
-    virtual ~SAI() {}
-
-protected:
+    ////////////////////////////////////////////
     sai_t           _sai;
     PlatformMutex   _mutex;
     bool            _is_input;
+    sai_result_t    _status;
 };
 
-class SAITransmitter : private SAI {
+class SAITransmitter : public SAI {
     public:
         SAITransmitter(PinName mclk, PinName bclk, PinName wclk, PinName sd,
                        const sai_format_t *fmt = &sai_mode_i2s32)
@@ -75,7 +80,7 @@ class SAITransmitter : private SAI {
         }
 };
 
-class SAIReceiver : private SAI {
+class SAIReceiver : public SAI {
     public:
         SAIReceiver(PinName mclk, PinName bclk, PinName wclk, PinName sd,
                     const sai_format_t *fmt = &sai_mode_i2s32)