diff --git a/src/drivers/common/configSys.cpp b/src/drivers/common/configSys.cpp
index 194d7819..65a5e11a 100644
--- a/src/drivers/common/configSys.cpp
+++ b/src/drivers/common/configSys.cpp
@@ -129,6 +129,31 @@ Config::addOption(char shortArg,
     return 0;
 }
 
+int
+Config::addOption(const std::string &name,
+                  const std::string &defaultValue)
+{
+    if(_strOptMap.find(name) != _strOptMap.end()) {
+        return -1;
+    }
+
+    // add the option
+    _strOptMap[name] = defaultValue;
+    return 0;
+}
+
+int
+Config::addOption(const std::string &name,
+                  int defaultValue)
+{
+    if(_intOptMap.find(name) != _intOptMap.end()) {
+        return -1;
+    }
+
+    // add the option
+    _intOptMap[name] = defaultValue;
+    return 0;
+}
 
 /**
  * Sets the specified option to the given integer value.
diff --git a/src/drivers/common/configSys.h b/src/drivers/common/configSys.h
index 798f90d9..c2a528bf 100644
--- a/src/drivers/common/configSys.h
+++ b/src/drivers/common/configSys.h
@@ -39,6 +39,8 @@ public:
                   const std::string &, const std::string &);
     int addOption(char, const std::string &,
                   const std::string &, void (*)(void));
+    int addOption(const std::string &, const std::string &);
+    int addOption(const std::string &, int);
 
     /**
      * Sets a configuration option.  Can be called at any time.