diff --git a/lib/shared_memory.cpp b/lib/shared_memory.cpp
index 038bc339..fc2f9548 100644
--- a/lib/shared_memory.cpp
+++ b/lib/shared_memory.cpp
@@ -348,6 +348,8 @@ namespace IPC {
     close();
   }
 
+#ifdef SHM_ENABLED
+
   /// Returns true if the open file still exists.
   /// \TODO Not implemented under Windows.
   bool sharedPage::exists(){
@@ -364,7 +366,6 @@ namespace IPC {
 #endif
   }
 
-#ifdef SHM_ENABLED
   ///\brief Unmaps a shared page if allowed
   void sharedPage::unmap() {
     if (mapped && len) {
@@ -561,6 +562,13 @@ namespace IPC {
     }
   }
 
+  /// Returns true if the open file still exists.
+  bool sharedFile::exists(){
+    struct stat sb;
+    if (fstat(handle, &sb)){return false;}
+    return (sb.st_nlink > 0);
+  }
+
   ///\brief Initialize a page, de-initialize before if needed
   ///\param name_ The name of the page to be created
   ///\param len_ The size to make the page
diff --git a/lib/shared_memory.h b/lib/shared_memory.h
index f615acdd..0b7f23f2 100644
--- a/lib/shared_memory.h
+++ b/lib/shared_memory.h
@@ -109,9 +109,9 @@ namespace IPC {
       bool operator < (const sharedFile & rhs) const {
         return name < rhs.name;
       }
-      bool exists(){return true;}
       void close();
       void unmap();
+      bool exists();
       ///\brief The fd handle of the opened shared file
       int handle;
       ///\brief The name of the opened shared file