diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/memory/xfer/xfer.H b/src/OpenFOAM/memory/xfer/xfer.H
index cec4624c13..b1cc60f81d 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/memory/xfer/xfer.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/memory/xfer/xfer.H
@@ -102,6 +102,11 @@ public:
 
         inline ~xfer();
 
+    // Member Functions
+
+        //- Return a null object reference
+        inline static const xfer<T>& null();
+
     // Member Operators
 
         //- Transfer the contents into the object
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/memory/xfer/xferI.H b/src/OpenFOAM/memory/xfer/xferI.H
index aabeaaf1de..94b75b0d04 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/memory/xfer/xferI.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/memory/xfer/xferI.H
@@ -77,6 +77,16 @@ inline Foam::xfer<T>::~xfer()
 }
 
 
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * *  Member Functions * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+template<class T>
+inline const Foam::xfer<T>& Foam::xfer<T>::null()
+{
+    xfer<T>* nullPtr = reinterpret_cast<xfer<T>*>(0);
+    return *nullPtr;
+}
+
+
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Operators  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
 template<class T>