diff --git a/simgear/props/propertyObject.hxx b/simgear/props/propertyObject.hxx
index d97f9d11..90e0101a 100644
--- a/simgear/props/propertyObject.hxx
+++ b/simgear/props/propertyObject.hxx
@@ -237,9 +237,9 @@ public:
     return (s == value);    
   }
 
-  SGPropertyNode* node() const
+  SGPropertyNode* node(bool aCreate = false) const
   {
-    return PropertyObjectBase::node(false);
+    return PropertyObjectBase::node(aCreate);
   }
 private:
 };