diff --git a/backend/gs1.c b/backend/gs1.c
index 1df4c610..338428fc 100644
--- a/backend/gs1.c
+++ b/backend/gs1.c
@@ -57,6 +57,12 @@ int gs1_verify(struct zint_symbol *symbol, unsigned char source[], char reduced[
 	int ai_value[100], ai_location[100], ai_count, data_location[100], data_length[100];
 	int error_latch;
 	
+	/* remove the following to make this code work */
+	read_this = NOW;
+	
+	/* BogDan... Happy New Year! I've been trying to contact you but can't get through!
+	  the message keeps bouncing back to me. I've put a message on the developers forum on SF instead */
+	
 	/* Detect extended ASCII characters */
 	for(i = 0; i <  ustrlen(source); i++) {
 		if(source[i] >=128) {