diff --git a/backend/backend.go b/backend/backend.go
index a643741..7ec60ea 100644
--- a/backend/backend.go
+++ b/backend/backend.go
@@ -53,6 +53,10 @@ type Conn interface {
 	// down the driver
 	Close() error
 
+	// Ping just checks to see if the database is still alive. This is typically
+	// used for health checks.
+	Ping() error
+
 	// RecordAnnounce is called once per announce, and is passed the delta in
 	// statistics for the client peer since its last announce.
 	RecordAnnounce(delta *models.AnnounceDelta) error
diff --git a/backend/noop/driver.go b/backend/noop/driver.go
index 8fc6fd1..ab6a57c 100644
--- a/backend/noop/driver.go
+++ b/backend/noop/driver.go
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ import (
 
 type driver struct{}
 
+// NoOp is a backend driver for Chihaya that does nothing. This is used by
+// public trackers.
 type NoOp struct{}
 
 // New returns a new Chihaya backend driver that does nothing.
@@ -26,6 +28,11 @@ func (n *NoOp) Close() error {
 	return nil
 }
 
+// Ping returns nil.
+func (n *NoOp) Ping() error {
+	return nil
+}
+
 // RecordAnnounce returns nil.
 func (n *NoOp) RecordAnnounce(delta *models.AnnounceDelta) error {
 	return nil