diff --git a/evennia/objects/objects.py b/evennia/objects/objects.py
index 640717050f..62f6e59f72 100644
--- a/evennia/objects/objects.py
+++ b/evennia/objects/objects.py
@@ -240,7 +240,31 @@ class DefaultObject(with_metaclass(TypeclassBase, ObjectDB)):
 
     # main methods
 
-    ## methods inherited from the database object (overload them here)
+    def get_display_name(self, looker, **kwargs):
+        """
+        Displays the name of the object in a viewer-aware manner.
+
+        Args:
+            looker (TypedObject): The object or player that is looking
+                at/getting inforamtion for this object.
+
+        Returns:
+            name (str): A string containing the name of the object,
+                including the DBREF if this user is privileged to control
+                said object.
+
+        Notes:
+            This function could be extended to change how object names
+            appear to users in character, but be wary. This function
+            does not change an object's keys or aliases when
+            searching, and is expected to produce something useful for
+            builders.
+
+        """
+        if self.locks.check_lockstring(looker, "pperm(Builders)"):
+            return "{}(#{})".format(self.name, self.id)
+        return self.name
+
 
     def search(self, searchdata,
                global_search=False,