diff --git a/include/wx/sizer.h b/include/wx/sizer.h
index 5f7738dce2..ce907346bb 100644
--- a/include/wx/sizer.h
+++ b/include/wx/sizer.h
@@ -313,7 +313,7 @@ public:
     bool IsShown( size_t index ) const;
 
     // Recursively call wxWindow::Show () on all sizer items.
-    void ShowItems (bool show);
+    virtual void ShowItems (bool show);
 
 protected:
     wxSize              m_size;
@@ -505,6 +505,9 @@ public:
     wxStaticBox *GetStaticBox() const
         { return m_staticBox; }
 
+    // override to hide/show the static box as well
+    virtual void ShowItems (bool show);
+
 protected:
     wxStaticBox   *m_staticBox;
 
diff --git a/src/common/sizer.cpp b/src/common/sizer.cpp
index 2fd2d9f854..1d9073891f 100644
--- a/src/common/sizer.cpp
+++ b/src/common/sizer.cpp
@@ -1624,6 +1624,12 @@ wxSize wxStaticBoxSizer::CalcMin()
     return ret;
 }
 
+void wxStaticBoxSizer::ShowItems( bool show )
+{
+    m_staticBox->Show( show );
+    wxBoxSizer::ShowItems( show );
+}
+
 #endif // wxUSE_STATBOX
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------