diff --git a/gst/gstelement.h b/gst/gstelement.h
index 366cdee82c..d3f97bee48 100644
--- a/gst/gstelement.h
+++ b/gst/gstelement.h
@@ -106,6 +106,9 @@ typedef enum {
 
   /***** !!!!! need to have a flag that says that an element must
     *not* be an entry into a scheduling chain !!!!! *****/
+  /* this element for some reason doesn't obey COTHREAD_STOPPING, or
+     has some other reason why it can't be the entry */
+  GST_ELEMENT_NO_ENTRY,
 
   /* there is a new loopfunction ready for placement */
   GST_ELEMENT_NEW_LOOPFUNC,
@@ -118,7 +121,7 @@ typedef enum {
   GST_ELEMENT_EOS,
 
   /* use some padding for future expansion */
-  GST_ELEMENT_FLAG_LAST		= GST_OBJECT_FLAG_LAST + 8,
+  GST_ELEMENT_FLAG_LAST		= GST_OBJECT_FLAG_LAST + 12,
 } GstElementFlags;
 
 #define GST_ELEMENT_IS_THREAD_SUGGESTED(obj)	(GST_FLAG_IS_SET(obj,GST_ELEMENT_THREAD_SUGGESTED))
diff --git a/gst/gstscheduler.c b/gst/gstscheduler.c
index 5afb15ce1a..511e86eee3 100644
--- a/gst/gstscheduler.c
+++ b/gst/gstscheduler.c
@@ -1310,6 +1310,8 @@ GST_DEBUG(GST_CAT_SCHEDULING,"there are %d elements in this chain\n",chain->num_
           elements = g_list_next(elements);
           if (GST_FLAG_IS_SET(entry,GST_ELEMENT_DECOUPLED))
             GST_DEBUG(GST_CAT_SCHEDULING,"entry \"%s\" is DECOUPLED, skipping\n",GST_ELEMENT_NAME(entry));
+          else if (GST_FLAG_IS_SET(entry,GST_ELEMENT_NO_ENTRY))
+            GST_DEBUG(GST_CAT_SCHEDULING,"entry \"%s\" is not valid, skipping\n",GST_ELEMENT_NAME(entry));
           else
             break;
         }