diff --git a/src/OpenMesh/Core/Utils/PropertyManager.hh b/src/OpenMesh/Core/Utils/PropertyManager.hh
index 21dba558..f7aa33a0 100644
--- a/src/OpenMesh/Core/Utils/PropertyManager.hh
+++ b/src/OpenMesh/Core/Utils/PropertyManager.hh
@@ -151,8 +151,8 @@ class PropertyManager {
          * If this method is called, the encapsulated property will not be deleted
          * upon destruction of the PropertyManager instance.
          */
-        inline void retain() {
-            retain_ = true;
+        inline void retain(bool doRetain = true) {
+            retain_ = doRetain;
         }
 
         /**