diff --git a/pyqtgraph/dockarea/DockArea.py b/pyqtgraph/dockarea/DockArea.py
index b7b0659e..ff3f22ab 100644
--- a/pyqtgraph/dockarea/DockArea.py
+++ b/pyqtgraph/dockarea/DockArea.py
@@ -9,9 +9,9 @@ from ..python2_3 import basestring
 
 
 class DockArea(Container, QtGui.QWidget, DockDrop):
-    def __init__(self, temporary=False, home=None):
+    def __init__(self, parent=None, temporary=False, home=None):
         Container.__init__(self, self)
-        QtGui.QWidget.__init__(self)
+        QtGui.QWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent)
         DockDrop.__init__(self, allowedAreas=['left', 'right', 'top', 'bottom'])
         self.layout = QtGui.QVBoxLayout()
         self.layout.setContentsMargins(0,0,0,0)