diff --git a/VortexEngine/src/Menus/Menu.h b/VortexEngine/src/Menus/Menu.h
index aefcf0d363..137f1b0903 100644
--- a/VortexEngine/src/Menus/Menu.h
+++ b/VortexEngine/src/Menus/Menu.h
@@ -50,6 +50,10 @@ class Menu
   // blink the selected finger
   virtual void blinkSelection(uint32_t offMs = 250, uint32_t onMs = 500);
 
+  // an overridable api that allows derived menus to decide which led selections
+  // should be available before they have actually opened
+  virtual bool isValidLedSelection(LedMap selection) const { return true; }
+
   // the mode copied from the current mode used to preview changes
   Mode m_previewMode;
   // the color of this menu