diff --git a/python/core/qgspluginlayer.sip b/python/core/qgspluginlayer.sip
index 9b403e3fe45..b66de47191c 100644
--- a/python/core/qgspluginlayer.sip
+++ b/python/core/qgspluginlayer.sip
@@ -11,8 +11,14 @@ class QgsPluginLayer : QgsMapLayer
     /** Return plugin layer type (the same as used in QgsPluginLayerRegistry) */
     QString pluginLayerType();
 
+    /** Set extent of the layer */
     void setExtent( const QgsRectangle &extent );
 
+    /** Set source string. This is used for example in layer tree to show tooltip.
+     * @note added in 2.16
+     */
+    void setSource( const QString& source );
+
     //! return a list of symbology items for the legend
     //! (defult implementation returns nothing)
     //! @note Added in v2.1
diff --git a/src/core/qgspluginlayer.cpp b/src/core/qgspluginlayer.cpp
index 49c4797921c..c4f576ddb84 100644
--- a/src/core/qgspluginlayer.cpp
+++ b/src/core/qgspluginlayer.cpp
@@ -33,6 +33,11 @@ void QgsPluginLayer::setExtent( const QgsRectangle &extent )
   mExtent = extent;
 }
 
+void QgsPluginLayer::setSource( const QString& source )
+{
+  mDataSource = source;
+}
+
 QgsLegendSymbologyList QgsPluginLayer::legendSymbologyItems( QSize iconSize )
 {
   Q_UNUSED( iconSize );
diff --git a/src/core/qgspluginlayer.h b/src/core/qgspluginlayer.h
index 64d1277f9f7..a7d3a3a76e9 100644
--- a/src/core/qgspluginlayer.h
+++ b/src/core/qgspluginlayer.h
@@ -37,8 +37,14 @@ class CORE_EXPORT QgsPluginLayer : public QgsMapLayer
     /** Return plugin layer type (the same as used in QgsPluginLayerRegistry) */
     QString pluginLayerType();
 
+    /** Set extent of the layer */
     void setExtent( const QgsRectangle &extent ) override;
 
+    /** Set source string. This is used for example in layer tree to show tooltip.
+     * @note added in 2.16
+     */
+    void setSource( const QString& source );
+
     //! return a list of symbology items for the legend
     //! (defult implementation returns nothing)
     //! @note Added in v2.1