diff --git a/pylib/anki/scheduler/v3.py b/pylib/anki/scheduler/v3.py
index f367c6c0b..1f5820619 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/scheduler/v3.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/scheduler/v3.py
@@ -252,3 +252,11 @@ class Scheduler(SchedulerBaseWithLegacy):
             return self.col.db.list("select id from active_decks")
         except DBError:
             return []
+
+    # used by custom study; will likely be rolled into a separate routine
+    # in the future
+    def totalNewForCurrentDeck(self) -> int:
+        return self.col.db.scalar(
+            f"""
+select count() from cards where queue={QUEUE_TYPE_NEW} and did in (select id from active_decks)"""
+        )