diff --git a/LiquidCrystal.cpp b/LiquidCrystal.cpp
index 04d0f50..53119df 100644
--- a/LiquidCrystal.cpp
+++ b/LiquidCrystal.cpp
@@ -258,8 +258,9 @@ inline void LiquidCrystal::command(uint8_t value) {
   send(value, LOW);
 }
 
-inline void LiquidCrystal::write(uint8_t value) {
+inline long LiquidCrystal::write(uint8_t value) {
   send(value, HIGH);
+  return 1; // assume sucess
 }
 
 /************ low level data pushing commands **********/
diff --git a/LiquidCrystal.h b/LiquidCrystal.h
index f66ec1b..2788fe0 100755
--- a/LiquidCrystal.h
+++ b/LiquidCrystal.h
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ public:
 
   void createChar(uint8_t, uint8_t[]);
   void setCursor(uint8_t, uint8_t); 
-  virtual void write(uint8_t);
+  virtual long write(uint8_t);
   void command(uint8_t);
 private:
   void send(uint8_t, uint8_t);