diff --git a/src/avtk/avtk_dial.h b/src/avtk/avtk_dial.h
index 05ff86a..f18fc88 100644
--- a/src/avtk/avtk_dial.h
+++ b/src/avtk/avtk_dial.h
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 #ifndef AVTK_DIAL_H
 #define AVTK_DIAL_H
 
+#include <string>
 #include <stdio.h>
 #include <FL/Fl_Dial.H>
 #include <FL/Fl_Slider.H>
@@ -31,8 +32,7 @@ class Dial : public Fl_Slider
 {
   public:
     Dial(int _x, int _y, int _w, int _h, const char* _lab=0):
-        Fl_Slider(_x, _y, _w, _h, _lab),
-        _label ( 0 )
+        Fl_Slider(_x, _y, _w, _h, _lab)
     {
       x = _x;
       y = _y;
@@ -45,19 +45,17 @@ class Dial : public Fl_Slider
       mouseClicked = false;
       
       highlight = false;
-      if ( _lab != 0 )
-        _label = strdup( _lab );
+      _label = _lab;
     }
     
     ~Dial()
     {
-      if( _label )
-        free( _label );
     }
     
     bool highlight;
     int x, y, w, h;
-    char* _label;
+    //char* _label;
+    std::string _label;
     
     float radius;
     float lineWidth;
@@ -69,12 +67,8 @@ class Dial : public Fl_Slider
     
     void setLabel( const char* newLabel )
     {
-      //if( _label )
-      //  free( _label );
-      
-      //_label = strdup( newLabel );
-      
-      //label( _label );
+      _label = newLabel;
+      label( _label.c_str() );
       redraw();
     }