diff --git a/lib/form/group.php b/lib/form/group.php
index b83a740fd17..c0fa44ce324 100644
--- a/lib/form/group.php
+++ b/lib/form/group.php
@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@ class moodleform_group extends HTML_QuickForm_group{
      * @var string
      */
     var $_helpbutton='';
+    var $_elementTemplateType='default';
+    //would cause problems with client side validation so will leave for now
+    //var $_elementTemplateType='fieldset';
     /**
      * set html for help button
      *
@@ -44,4 +47,7 @@ class moodleform_group extends HTML_QuickForm_group{
     function getHelpButton(){
         return $this->_helpbutton;
     }
+    function getElementTemplateType(){
+        return $this->_elementTemplateType;
+    }
 }
\ No newline at end of file