diff --git a/simgear/io/SGDataDistributionService.cxx b/simgear/io/SGDataDistributionService.cxx
index 7a2339a2..bc79ab41 100644
--- a/simgear/io/SGDataDistributionService.cxx
+++ b/simgear/io/SGDataDistributionService.cxx
@@ -53,6 +53,14 @@ SG_DDS::setup( const char *topic, const dds_topic_descriptor_t *desc, const size
     packet_size = size;
 }
 
+void
+SG_DDS::setup(const dds_topic_descriptor_t *desc, const size_t size)
+{
+    topic_name = desc->m_typename;
+    descriptor = desc;
+    packet_size = size;
+}
+
 // If specified as a server (in direction) create a subscriber.
 // If specified as a client (out direction), create a publisher.
 bool
diff --git a/simgear/io/SGDataDistributionService.hxx b/simgear/io/SGDataDistributionService.hxx
index c570d9f6..4e2afad8 100644
--- a/simgear/io/SGDataDistributionService.hxx
+++ b/simgear/io/SGDataDistributionService.hxx
@@ -60,7 +60,12 @@ public:
     /** Destructor */
     ~SG_DDS();
 
-    // Set the paramaters which weren't available at creation time.
+    // Set the paramaters which weren't available at creation time and use
+    // the descrtors typename as topic name.
+    void setup(const dds_topic_descriptor_t *desc, size_t size);
+
+    // Set the paramaters which weren't available at creation time and use
+    // a custom topic name.
     void setup(const char* topic, const dds_topic_descriptor_t *desc, size_t size);
 
     // If specified as a server start a publishing participant.