diff --git a/src/drawer.js b/src/drawer.js
index 1f18f102..b8d87aba 100644
--- a/src/drawer.js
+++ b/src/drawer.js
@@ -287,6 +287,16 @@ $.Drawer.prototype = /** @lends OpenSeadragon.Drawer.prototype */{
         this.context.clip();
     },
 
+    // private
+    drawPlaceholder: function(rect) {
+        if (!this.useCanvas) {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        this.context.fillRect(rect.x, rect.y, rect.width, rect.height);
+        this.context.fillStyle = "#000000";
+    },
+
     // private
     drawDebugInfo: function( tile, count, i ){
         if ( this.useCanvas ) {