diff --git a/lib/widget.php b/lib/widget.php
index f9b7152559..d068dea0f0 100644
--- a/lib/widget.php
+++ b/lib/widget.php
@@ -80,6 +80,19 @@ class Widget
     {
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Get HTMLOutputter
+     *
+     * Return the HTMLOutputter for the widget.
+     *
+     * @return HTMLOutputter the output helper
+     */
+
+    function getOut()
+    {
+        return $this->out;
+    }
+
     /**
      * Delegate output methods to the outputter attribute.
      *