diff --git a/src/common/validate.cpp b/src/common/validate.cpp
index 44e0caeece..bc40a4b82b 100644
--- a/src/common/validate.cpp
+++ b/src/common/validate.cpp
@@ -32,7 +32,14 @@
 
 #include "wx/validate.h"
 
+#if defined(__VISAGECPP__)
+// treated as a static global class by VA and thus cannot use in this form.
+// Defined as a pointer and then explicity allocated and deallocated
+// by user if desired
+const wxValidator* wxDefaultValidator;
+#else
 const wxValidator wxDefaultValidator;
+#endif
 
 #if !USE_SHARED_LIBRARY
     IMPLEMENT_DYNAMIC_CLASS(wxValidator, wxEvtHandler)