diff --git a/drivers/char/virtio_console.c b/drivers/char/virtio_console.c
index 8f49d0f034e0..3516aeb7f06c 100644
--- a/drivers/char/virtio_console.c
+++ b/drivers/char/virtio_console.c
@@ -348,7 +348,7 @@ static struct port_buffer *alloc_buf(size_t buf_size)
 }
 
 /* Callers should take appropriate locks */
-static void *get_inbuf(struct port *port)
+static struct port_buffer *get_inbuf(struct port *port)
 {
 	struct port_buffer *buf;
 	struct virtqueue *vq;