diff --git a/awx/main/models/ha.py b/awx/main/models/ha.py
index 40a7aed12c..a277124cd4 100644
--- a/awx/main/models/ha.py
+++ b/awx/main/models/ha.py
@@ -16,3 +16,9 @@ class Instance(models.Model):
     class Meta:
         app_label = 'main'
 
+    @property
+    def role(self):
+        """Return the role of this instance, as a string."""
+        if self.primary:
+            return 'primary'
+        return 'secondary'