diff --git a/R/labels.R b/R/labels.R
index c9211b9..2c170a6 100644
--- a/R/labels.R
+++ b/R/labels.R
@@ -140,7 +140,8 @@ hySpc.testthat::test(.labels) <- function() {
 #' @examples
 #'
 #' labels(flu, "c") <- expression("/"("c", "mg / l"))
-`labels<-` <- function(object, which = NULL, ..., value) {
+# helper function (similar to .labels for the getter)
+.labels_replace <- function(object, which = NULL, ..., value) {
   assert_hyperSpec(object)
   validObject(object)
 
@@ -163,6 +164,17 @@ hySpc.testthat::test(.labels) <- function() {
   object
 }
 
+# generic replacement function
+#' @export
+setGeneric("labels<-", function(object, which = NULL, ..., value) {
+  standardGeneric("labels<-")
+})
+
+setMethod("labels<-", 
+  signature = signature(object = "hyperSpec"), 
+  .labels_replace
+)
+
 
 # Unit tests -----------------------------------------------------------------