diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/waves_ui.cc b/gtk2_ardour/waves_ui.cc
index 25246e53d6..7e7b210662 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/waves_ui.cc
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/waves_ui.cc
@@ -480,6 +480,17 @@ WavesUI::get_adjustment(const char* id)
 	return *child;
 }
 
+Gtk::EventBox&
+WavesUI::get_event_box (const char* id)
+{
+	Gtk::EventBox* child = dynamic_cast<Gtk::EventBox*> (get_object(id));
+	if (child == NULL ) {
+		dbg_msg (std::string("Gtk::EventBox ") + id + " not found !");
+		throw std::exception();
+	}
+	return *child;
+}
+
 
 Gtk::Box&
 WavesUI::get_box (const char* id)
diff --git a/gtk2_ardour/waves_ui.h b/gtk2_ardour/waves_ui.h
index 99edfd4b36..0975968851 100644
--- a/gtk2_ardour/waves_ui.h
+++ b/gtk2_ardour/waves_ui.h
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ class WavesUI : public std::map<std::string, Gtk::Object*> {
 	WavesUI (const std::string& layout_script_file, Gtk::Container& root);
 
 	Gtk::Adjustment& get_adjustment (const char* id);
+	Gtk::EventBox& get_event_box (const char* id);
 	Gtk::Box& get_box (const char* id);
 	Gtk::VBox& get_v_box (const char* id);
 	Gtk::HBox& get_h_box (const char* id);