diff --git a/lldb/include/lldb/API/SBCommandReturnObject.h b/lldb/include/lldb/API/SBCommandReturnObject.h
--- a/lldb/include/lldb/API/SBCommandReturnObject.h
+++ b/lldb/include/lldb/API/SBCommandReturnObject.h
@@ -105,9 +105,6 @@
 
   void SetError(const char *error_cstr);
 
-  // ref() is internal for LLDB only.
-  lldb_private::CommandReturnObject &ref() const;
-
 protected:
   friend class SBCommandInterpreter;
   friend class SBOptions;
@@ -119,6 +116,8 @@
   lldb_private::CommandReturnObject &operator*() const;
 
 private:
+  lldb_private::CommandReturnObject &ref() const;
+
   std::unique_ptr<lldb_private::SBCommandReturnObjectImpl> m_opaque_up;
 };