diff --git a/code/hooks.js b/code/hooks.js
index 1de476f3..1dce5d8e 100644
--- a/code/hooks.js
+++ b/code/hooks.js
@@ -85,6 +85,13 @@ window.runHooks = function(event, data) {
   return !interrupted;
 }
 
+// helper method to allow plugins to create new hooks
+window.pluginCreateHook = function(event) {
+  if($.inArray(event, window.VALID_HOOKS) < 0) {
+    window.VALID_HOOKS.push(event);
+  }
+}
+
 
 window.addHook = function(event, callback) {
   if(VALID_HOOKS.indexOf(event) === -1) {