      */
     private function updateLLV(layoutTarget:GroupBase):void
     {
+        if (!llv)
+        {
+            llv = new LinearLayoutVector();
+            // Virtualization defaults for cases
+            // where there are no items and no typical item.
+            // The llv defaults are the width/height of a Spark Button skin.
+            llv.defaultMinorSize = 71;
+            llv.defaultMajorSize = 22;
+        }
         var typicalElt:ILayoutElement = typicalLayoutElement;
         if (typicalElt)
         {

     *  useVirtualLayout=true.   See updateLLV(), resetCachedVirtualLayoutState(),
     *  etc.
     */
    private var llv:LinearLayoutVector = new LinearLayoutVector();
    
    //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
    //

    public function VerticalLayout():void
    {
        super();

        // Don't drag-scroll in the horizontal direction
        dragScrollRegionSizeHorizontal = 0;
    }

    //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
    //
    //  Properties
