diff --git a/templates/base/base_panels.mako b/templates/base/base_panels.mako
index a8f8c0309eb..14fdb0c7496 100644
--- a/templates/base/base_panels.mako
+++ b/templates/base/base_panels.mako
@@ -81,6 +81,9 @@
         if (window != window.top)
             $('<link href="' + galaxy_config.root + 'static/style/galaxy.frame.masthead.css" rel="stylesheet">').appendTo('head');
 
+        // start a Galaxy namespace for objects created
+        window.Galaxy = window.Galaxy || {};
+
         // console protection
         window.console = window.console || {
             log     : function(){},
diff --git a/templates/webapps/galaxy/galaxy.panels.mako b/templates/webapps/galaxy/galaxy.panels.mako
index 523d2693f9d..c1937cf6b0f 100644
--- a/templates/webapps/galaxy/galaxy.panels.mako
+++ b/templates/webapps/galaxy/galaxy.panels.mako
@@ -58,6 +58,9 @@
     
     ## make sure console exists
     <script type="text/javascript">
+        // start a Galaxy namespace for objects created
+        window.Galaxy = window.Galaxy || {};
+
         // console protection
         window.console = window.console ||
         {