diff --git a/pvDataApp/misc/StatusCreateFactory.cpp b/pvDataApp/misc/StatusCreateFactory.cpp
index 80f5013..5e308d3 100644
--- a/pvDataApp/misc/StatusCreateFactory.cpp
+++ b/pvDataApp/misc/StatusCreateFactory.cpp
@@ -119,6 +119,13 @@ class StatusImpl : public Status
 	   throw new std::runtime_error("use getStatusCreate()->deserialize()");
     }
 
+    virtual String toString()
+    {
+        String str;
+        toString(&str, 0);
+        return str;
+    }
+
     virtual void toString(StringBuilder buffer, int indentLevel)
     {
         *buffer += "StatusImpl [type=";
diff --git a/pvDataApp/misc/status.h b/pvDataApp/misc/status.h
index 588e8d1..f496f9c 100644
--- a/pvDataApp/misc/status.h
+++ b/pvDataApp/misc/status.h
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ namespace epics { namespace pvData {
              */
             virtual bool isSuccess() = 0;
 
-            
+            virtual String toString() = 0;
             virtual void toString(StringBuilder buffer, int indentLevel = 0) = 0;
             
         };