diff --git a/common/draw_panel_gal.cpp b/common/draw_panel_gal.cpp
index 5d00f85654..f0be4b0316 100644
--- a/common/draw_panel_gal.cpp
+++ b/common/draw_panel_gal.cpp
@@ -168,8 +168,7 @@ void EDA_DRAW_PANEL_GAL::Refresh( bool aEraseBackground, const wxRect* aRect )
 
     if( delta >= MinRefreshPeriod )
     {
-        wxPaintEvent redrawEvent;
-        wxPostEvent( this, redrawEvent );
+        ForceRefresh();
         m_pendingRefresh = true;
     }
     else
@@ -181,6 +180,13 @@ void EDA_DRAW_PANEL_GAL::Refresh( bool aEraseBackground, const wxRect* aRect )
 }
 
 
+void EDA_DRAW_PANEL_GAL::ForceRefresh()
+{
+    wxPaintEvent redrawEvent;
+    wxPostEvent( this, redrawEvent );
+}
+
+
 void EDA_DRAW_PANEL_GAL::SetEventDispatcher( TOOL_DISPATCHER* aEventDispatcher )
 {
     m_eventDispatcher = aEventDispatcher;
diff --git a/include/class_draw_panel_gal.h b/include/class_draw_panel_gal.h
index 8795d94f29..d070548682 100644
--- a/include/class_draw_panel_gal.h
+++ b/include/class_draw_panel_gal.h
@@ -110,6 +110,12 @@ public:
     /// @copydoc wxWindow::Refresh()
     void Refresh( bool aEraseBackground = true, const wxRect* aRect = NULL );
 
+    /**
+     * Function ForceRefresh()
+     * Forces a redraw.
+     */
+    void ForceRefresh();
+
     /**
      * Function SetEventDispatcher()
      * Sets a dispatcher that processes events and forwards them to tools.