diff --git a/AST.cpp b/AST.cpp
index a1fab37..016204b 100644
--- a/AST.cpp
+++ b/AST.cpp
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@
                     type = static_cast<TypeDef *>(type)->referencedType();
                 }
 
-                return type->ref();
+                return type;
             }
         }
     }
@@ -347,7 +347,7 @@
         }
     }
 
-    return returnedType->ref();
+    return returnedType;
 }
 
 Type *AST::findDefinedType(const FQName &fqName, FQName *matchingName) const {
diff --git a/Type.h b/Type.h
index 4156405..f510340 100644
--- a/Type.h
+++ b/Type.h
@@ -35,8 +35,6 @@
     Type();
     virtual ~Type();
 
-    Type *ref() { return this; }
-
     virtual bool isScope() const;
     virtual bool isInterface() const;
     virtual bool isEnum() const;
diff --git a/hidl-gen_y.yy b/hidl-gen_y.yy
index c494643..9163aa3 100644
--- a/hidl-gen_y.yy
+++ b/hidl-gen_y.yy
@@ -590,7 +590,7 @@
               YYERROR;
           }
 
-          $$ = container->ref();
+          $$ = container;
       }
     ;
 
@@ -687,7 +687,7 @@
               YYERROR;
           }
 
-          $$ = enumType->ref();
+          $$ = enumType;
       }
     | ENUM IDENTIFIER opt_storage_type
       {
@@ -704,7 +704,7 @@
               YYERROR;
           }
 
-          $$ = enumType->ref();
+          $$ = enumType;
       }
     ;