diff --git a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/group/impl/GroupStoreMessage.java b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/group/impl/GroupStoreMessage.java
index f3071d5..6551f36 100644
--- a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/group/impl/GroupStoreMessage.java
+++ b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/group/impl/GroupStoreMessage.java
@@ -40,7 +40,8 @@
     public enum Type {
         ADD,
         UPDATE,
-        DELETE
+        DELETE,
+        FAILOVER
     }
 
     private GroupStoreMessage(Type type,
@@ -119,6 +120,18 @@
                                      null);
     }
 
+    public static GroupStoreMessage createGroupFailoverMsg(DeviceId deviceId,
+                                                           GroupDescription desc) {
+        return new GroupStoreMessage(Type.FAILOVER,
+                                     deviceId,
+                                     desc.appCookie(),
+                                     desc,
+                                     null,
+                                     null,
+                                     desc.appCookie());
+    }
+
+
     /**
      * Returns the device identifier of this group request.
      *