diff --git a/doc/openocd.texi b/doc/openocd.texi
index 52a51c196..55e6e7680 100644
--- a/doc/openocd.texi
+++ b/doc/openocd.texi
@@ -9191,6 +9191,18 @@ read_memory 0x20000000 32 2
 @end example
 @end deffn
 
+@deffn {Command} {debug_reason}
+Displays the current debug reason:
+@code{debug-request},
+@code{breakpoint},
+@code{watchpoint},
+@code{watchpoint-and-breakpoint},
+@code{single-step},
+@code{target-not-halted},
+@code{program-exit},
+@code{exception-catch} or @code{undefined}.
+@end deffn
+
 @deffn {Command} {halt} [ms]
 @deffnx {Command} {wait_halt} [ms]
 The @command{halt} command first sends a halt request to the target,
diff --git a/src/target/target.c b/src/target/target.c
index 45698a66c..5168305de 100644
--- a/src/target/target.c
+++ b/src/target/target.c
@@ -6736,6 +6736,13 @@ static const struct command_registration target_exec_command_handlers[] = {
 		.help = "Write Tcl list of 8/16/32/64 bit numbers to target memory",
 		.usage = "address width data ['phys']",
 	},
+	{
+		.name = "debug_reason",
+		.mode = COMMAND_EXEC,
+		.handler = handle_target_debug_reason,
+		.help = "displays the debug reason of this target",
+		.usage = "",
+	},
 	{
 		.name = "reset_nag",
 		.handler = handle_target_reset_nag,