diff --git a/test/vpp_ip_route.py b/test/vpp_ip_route.py
index ca0ae1a..39b2b1a 100644
--- a/test/vpp_ip_route.py
+++ b/test/vpp_ip_route.py
@@ -168,6 +168,19 @@
                                'ttl': 255})
         return lstack
 
+    def encode(self):
+        return {'next_hop': self.nh_addr,
+                'weight': 1,
+                'afi': 0,
+                'preference': 0,
+                'table_id': self.nh_table_id,
+                'next_hop_id': self.next_hop_id,
+                'sw_if_index': self.nh_itf,
+                'afi': self.proto,
+                'is_udp_encap': self.is_udp_encap,
+                'n_labels': len(self.nh_labels),
+                'label_stack': self.encode_labels()}
+
 
 class VppMRoutePath(VppRoutePath):