diff --git a/simgear/nasal/NasalEmesaryInterface.cxx b/simgear/nasal/NasalEmesaryInterface.cxx
index 7cffcb7f..609dd214 100644
--- a/simgear/nasal/NasalEmesaryInterface.cxx
+++ b/simgear/nasal/NasalEmesaryInterface.cxx
@@ -128,5 +128,11 @@ void initMainLoopRecipient()
     static_nasalMainLoopRecipient.reset(new NasalMainLoopRecipient);
 }
 
+void shutdownMainLoopRecipient()
+{
+    static_nasalMainLoopRecipient.reset();
+}
+
+
 } // namespace nasal
 
diff --git a/simgear/nasal/NasalEmesaryInterface.hxx b/simgear/nasal/NasalEmesaryInterface.hxx
index 601db760..a9b2c907 100644
--- a/simgear/nasal/NasalEmesaryInterface.hxx
+++ b/simgear/nasal/NasalEmesaryInterface.hxx
@@ -22,5 +22,6 @@ namespace nasal
 {
 
 void initMainLoopRecipient();
+void shutdownMainLoopRecipient();
    
 } // namespace nasal