Check the opt:include "view" attribute behaviour, if the object is not a valid view. >>>>templates/test.tpl <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes" ?> <!-- Include a view --> <opt:root> Foo <opt:include view="$view"> Sorry </opt:include> </opt:root> >>>>expected.txt OUTPUT >>>>result.txt FooSorry >>>>data.php $view->view = 'Foo';