diff --git a/src/modules/RepeaterModule.h b/src/modules/RepeaterModule.h
index b609ce3b5..bcb81fe49 100644
--- a/src/modules/RepeaterModule.h
+++ b/src/modules/RepeaterModule.h
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ class RepeaterModule : public ProtobufModule<meshtastic_Routing>
     RepeaterModule();
 
   protected:
+    friend class Router;
+
     /** Called to handle a particular incoming message
 
     @return true if you've guaranteed you've handled this message and no other handlers should be considered for it