diff --git a/cura/PrinterOutputDevice.py b/cura/PrinterOutputDevice.py
index 300e76a192..12335e940b 100644
--- a/cura/PrinterOutputDevice.py
+++ b/cura/PrinterOutputDevice.py
@@ -47,6 +47,7 @@ class PrinterOutputDevice(QObject, OutputDevice):
         self._accepts_commands = True
 
         self._printer_state = ""
+        self._printer_type = "unknown"
 
     def requestWrite(self, node, file_name = None, filter_by_machine = False):
         raise NotImplementedError("requestWrite needs to be implemented")
@@ -97,6 +98,12 @@ class PrinterOutputDevice(QObject, OutputDevice):
 
     printerStateChanged = pyqtSignal()
 
+    printerTypeChanged = pyqtSignal()
+
+    @pyqtProperty(str, notify=printerTypeChanged)
+    def printerType(self):
+        return self._printer_type
+
     @pyqtProperty(str, notify=printerStateChanged)
     def printerState(self):
         return self._printer_state
@@ -105,6 +112,11 @@ class PrinterOutputDevice(QObject, OutputDevice):
     def jobState(self):
         return self._job_state
 
+    def _updatePrinterType(self, printer_type):
+        if self._printer_type != printer_type:
+            self._printer_type = printer_type
+            self.printerTypeChanged.emit()
+
     def _updatePrinterState(self, printer_state):
         if self._printer_state != printer_state:
             self._printer_state = printer_state