diff --git a/include/wx/statbmp.h b/include/wx/statbmp.h
index e0e4566370..c54f627313 100644
--- a/include/wx/statbmp.h
+++ b/include/wx/statbmp.h
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ public:
 
     // overriden base class virtuals
     virtual bool AcceptsFocus() const { return false; }
+    virtual bool HasTransparentBackground() { return true; }
 
 protected:
     virtual wxSize DoGetBestSize() const;