diff --git a/lib/OpenLayers/Renderer/Elements.js b/lib/OpenLayers/Renderer/Elements.js
index 276af7f454..40a21e8155 100644
--- a/lib/OpenLayers/Renderer/Elements.js
+++ b/lib/OpenLayers/Renderer/Elements.js
@@ -850,6 +850,19 @@ OpenLayers.Renderer.Elements = OpenLayers.Class(OpenLayers.Renderer, {
         return node;
     },
     
+    /** 
+     * Method: nodeTypeCompare
+     * 
+     * Parameters:
+     * node - {DOMElement}
+     * type - {String} Kind of node
+     * 
+     * Returns:
+     * {Boolean} Whether or not the specified node is of the specified type
+     *     This function must be overridden by subclasses.
+     */
+    nodeTypeCompare: function(node, type) {},
+    
     /** 
      * Method: createNode
      *