diff --git a/include/vlc/libvlc_media_list.h b/include/vlc/libvlc_media_list.h
index 2a25406af7..0b61f411fa 100644
--- a/include/vlc/libvlc_media_list.h
+++ b/include/vlc/libvlc_media_list.h
@@ -56,8 +56,9 @@ LIBVLC_API void
  * Retain reference to a media list
  *
  * \param p_ml a media list created with libvlc_media_list_new()
+ * \return the same object
  */
-LIBVLC_API void
+LIBVLC_API libvlc_media_list_t *
     libvlc_media_list_retain( libvlc_media_list_t *p_ml );
 
 /**
diff --git a/lib/media_list.c b/lib/media_list.c
index b120bd3166..5d655ea47b 100644
--- a/lib/media_list.c
+++ b/lib/media_list.c
@@ -203,9 +203,10 @@ void libvlc_media_list_release( libvlc_media_list_t * p_mlist )
  *
  * Increase an object refcount.
  **************************************************************************/
-void libvlc_media_list_retain( libvlc_media_list_t * p_mlist )
+libvlc_media_list_t *libvlc_media_list_retain( libvlc_media_list_t * p_mlist )
 {
     vlc_atomic_rc_inc( &p_mlist->rc );
+    return p_mlist;
 }
 
 /**************************************************************************