diff --git a/direct/src/distributed/ClientRepository.py b/direct/src/distributed/ClientRepository.py
index 7e3263a9c3..f8a7d4e902 100644
--- a/direct/src/distributed/ClientRepository.py
+++ b/direct/src/distributed/ClientRepository.py
@@ -155,6 +155,9 @@ class ClientRepository(ClientRepositoryBase):
         # may forget to send heartbeats.  Keep them coming!
         self.considerHeartbeat()
 
+    def handleMessageType(self, msgType, di):
+        self.notify.error("unrecognized message")
+
     def handleGenerateWithRequired(self, di):
         # Get the class Id
         classId = di.getUint16()
diff --git a/direct/src/distributed/ServerRepository.py b/direct/src/distributed/ServerRepository.py
index 2a9ae635d2..cc4a624486 100644
--- a/direct/src/distributed/ServerRepository.py
+++ b/direct/src/distributed/ServerRepository.py
@@ -225,7 +225,10 @@ class ServerRepository:
         elif type == CLIENT_OBJECT_DISABLE:
             self.handleClientDisable(datagram, dgi.getUint32())
         else:
-            self.notify.error("unrecognized message")
+            self.handleMessageType(type, dgi)
+
+    def handleMessageType(self, msgType, di):
+        self.notify.error("unrecognized message")
 
 # client wants to create an object, so we store appropriate data,
 # and then pass message along to corresponding zones