diff --git a/lib/base/heimbase.c b/lib/base/heimbase.c
index 3666b5d58..fcb051cf8 100644
--- a/lib/base/heimbase.c
+++ b/lib/base/heimbase.c
@@ -83,8 +83,8 @@ struct heim_auto_release {
  * @return the same object as passed in
  */
 
-void *
-heim_retain(void *ptr)
+heim_object_t
+heim_retain(heim_object_t ptr)
 {
     struct heim_base *p = PTR2BASE(ptr);
 
diff --git a/lib/base/heimbase.h b/lib/base/heimbase.h
index 1c8b10315..f219cb8b3 100644
--- a/lib/base/heimbase.h
+++ b/lib/base/heimbase.h
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ typedef long heim_base_once_t; /* XXX arch dependant */
 #endif
 
 
-void *	heim_retain(heim_object_t);
+heim_object_t	heim_retain(heim_object_t);
 void	heim_release(heim_object_t);
 
 void	heim_show(heim_object_t);