diff --git a/src/ftdipp_mpsse.cpp b/src/ftdipp_mpsse.cpp
index b4c26f7..c5a1c88 100644
--- a/src/ftdipp_mpsse.cpp
+++ b/src/ftdipp_mpsse.cpp
@@ -456,6 +456,29 @@ bool FTDIpp_MPSSE::gpio_write(uint8_t gpio, bool low_pins)
 	return (mpsse_write() >= 0);
 }
 
+/**
+ * update half bank pins direction (no write is done at this time)
+ * @param[in] dir: pins direction (1 out, 0 in) for low or high bank
+ * @param[in] low_pins: high/low half bank
+ */
+void FTDIpp_MPSSE::gpio_set_dir(uint8_t dir, bool low_pins)
+{
+	if (low_pins)
+		_cable.bit_low_dir = dir;
+	else
+		_cable.bit_high_dir = dir;
+}
+
+/**
+ * update full bank pins direction (no write is done at this time)
+ * @param[in] dir: pins direction (1 out, 0 in) for low or high bank
+ */
+void FTDIpp_MPSSE::gpio_set_dir(uint16_t dir)
+{
+	_cable.bit_low_dir = dir & 0xff;
+	_cable.bit_high_dir = (dir >> 8) & 0xff;
+}
+
 /**
  * private method to write ftdi half bank GPIOs (pins state are in _cable)
  * @param[in] low or high half bank
diff --git a/src/ftdipp_mpsse.hpp b/src/ftdipp_mpsse.hpp
index bf940b3..13a7d8d 100644
--- a/src/ftdipp_mpsse.hpp
+++ b/src/ftdipp_mpsse.hpp
@@ -39,6 +39,8 @@ class FTDIpp_MPSSE {
 		/* full access */
 		bool gpio_write(uint16_t gpio);
 		bool gpio_write(uint8_t gpio, bool low_pins);
+		void gpio_set_dir(uint8_t dir, bool low_pins);
+		void gpio_set_dir(uint16_t dir);
 
 	protected:
 		void open_device(const std::string &serial, unsigned int baudrate);