diff --git a/lib/cpp/src/protocol/TProtocol.h b/lib/cpp/src/protocol/TProtocol.h
index 3c06bf5..6059d13 100644
--- a/lib/cpp/src/protocol/TProtocol.h
+++ b/lib/cpp/src/protocol/TProtocol.h
@@ -671,6 +671,15 @@
   virtual boost::shared_ptr<TProtocol> getProtocol(boost::shared_ptr<TTransport> trans) = 0;
 };
 
+/**
+ * Dummy protocol class.
+ *
+ * This class does nothing, and should never be instantiated.
+ * It is used only by the generator code.
+ */
+class TDummyProtocol : public TProtocol {
+};
+
 }}} // apache::thrift::protocol
 
 #endif // #define _THRIFT_PROTOCOL_TPROTOCOL_H_ 1