diff --git a/packages/SettingsLib/src/com/android/settingslib/core/AbstractPreferenceController.java b/packages/SettingsLib/src/com/android/settingslib/core/AbstractPreferenceController.java
index 88f0d2be311f8..d14b53b12fcd2 100644
--- a/packages/SettingsLib/src/com/android/settingslib/core/AbstractPreferenceController.java
+++ b/packages/SettingsLib/src/com/android/settingslib/core/AbstractPreferenceController.java
@@ -69,4 +69,12 @@ public abstract class AbstractPreferenceController {
             pref.setVisible(isVisible);
         }
     }
+
+
+    /**
+     * @return a String for the summary of the preference.
+     */
+    public String getSummary() {
+        return null;
+    }
 }