diff --git a/Source/cmLocalGenerator.h b/Source/cmLocalGenerator.h
index 1f5a26eba..69e452be5 100644
--- a/Source/cmLocalGenerator.h
+++ b/Source/cmLocalGenerator.h
@@ -369,7 +369,7 @@ protected:
   std::string FindRelativePathTopBinary();
   void SetupPathConversions();
 
-  std::string ConvertToLinkReference(std::string const& lib);
+  virtual std::string ConvertToLinkReference(std::string const& lib);
 
   /** Check whether the native build system supports the given
       definition.  Issues a warning.  */