diff --git a/adafruit_vl53l1x.py b/adafruit_vl53l1x.py
index e48f08a..d5ed910 100644
--- a/adafruit_vl53l1x.py
+++ b/adafruit_vl53l1x.py
@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@
 _SD_CONFIG__INITIAL_PHASE_SD0 = const(0x007A)
 _SYSTEM__INTERRUPT_CLEAR = const(0x0086)
 _SYSTEM__MODE_START = const(0x0087)
+_VL53L1X_RESULT__RANGE_STATUS = const(0x0089)
 _VL53L1X_RESULT__FINAL_CROSSTALK_CORRECTED_RANGE_MM_SD0 = const(0x0096)
 _VL53L1X_IDENTIFICATION__MODEL_ID = const(0x010F)
 
@@ -201,6 +202,8 @@ def model_info(self):
     @property
     def distance(self):
         """The distance in units of centimeters."""
+        if self._read_register(_VL53L1X_RESULT__RANGE_STATUS)[0] != 0x09:
+            return None
         dist = self._read_register(
             _VL53L1X_RESULT__FINAL_CROSSTALK_CORRECTED_RANGE_MM_SD0, 2
         )