diff --git a/src/laybasic/laybasic/layLayoutViewBase.h b/src/laybasic/laybasic/layLayoutViewBase.h
index 46ede53ed..f15239fe9 100644
--- a/src/laybasic/laybasic/layLayoutViewBase.h
+++ b/src/laybasic/laybasic/layLayoutViewBase.h
@@ -282,7 +282,7 @@ public:
   /**
    *  @brief Display a status message
    */
-  void message (const std::string &s = "", int timeout = 10);
+  virtual void message (const std::string &s = "", int timeout = 10);
 
   /**
    *  @brief The "dirty" flag indicates that one of the layout has been modified