diff --git a/media/libaudiohal/EffectHalHidl.h b/media/libaudiohal/EffectHalHidl.h
index 0d011aa..6ffdaf1 100644
--- a/media/libaudiohal/EffectHalHidl.h
+++ b/media/libaudiohal/EffectHalHidl.h
@@ -58,6 +58,9 @@
     // Free resources on the remote side.
     virtual status_t close();
 
+    // Whether it's a local implementation.
+    virtual bool isLocal() const { return false; }
+
     uint64_t effectId() const { return mEffectId; }
 
     static void effectDescriptorToHal(