diff --git a/simgear/scene/model/modellib.cxx b/simgear/scene/model/modellib.cxx
index 281c6413..8a551510 100644
--- a/simgear/scene/model/modellib.cxx
+++ b/simgear/scene/model/modellib.cxx
@@ -57,6 +57,11 @@ void SGModelLib::init(const string &root_dir, SGPropertyNode* root)
     static_propRoot = root;
 }
 
+void SGModelLib::resetPropertyRoot()
+{
+    static_propRoot.clear();
+}
+
 void SGModelLib::setPanelFunc(panel_func pf)
 {
   static_panelFunc = pf;
diff --git a/simgear/scene/model/modellib.hxx b/simgear/scene/model/modellib.hxx
index 287c2e80..7e8a5a8e 100644
--- a/simgear/scene/model/modellib.hxx
+++ b/simgear/scene/model/modellib.hxx
@@ -46,6 +46,8 @@ public:
 
     static void init(const std::string &root_dir, SGPropertyNode* root);
 
+    static void resetPropertyRoot();
+    
     static void setPanelFunc(panel_func pf);
     
     // Load a 3D model (any format)