diff --git a/include/mapnik/svg/output/svg_renderer.hpp b/include/mapnik/svg/output/svg_renderer.hpp
index 1e98fee09..baee36541 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/svg/output/svg_renderer.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/svg/output/svg_renderer.hpp
@@ -127,9 +127,14 @@ public:
                  mapnik::feature_impl & feature,
                  proj_transform const& prj_trans);
 
-    void painted(bool /*painted*/)
+    bool painted() const
     {
-        // nothing to do
+        return painted_;
+    }
+
+    void painted(bool painted)
+    {
+        painted_ = painted;
     }
 
     inline eAttributeCollectionPolicy attribute_collection_policy() const