diff --git a/src/corelib/io/qfsfileengine_p.h b/src/corelib/io/qfsfileengine_p.h
index 5231b4fe6f..22109ac5bc 100644
--- a/src/corelib/io/qfsfileengine_p.h
+++ b/src/corelib/io/qfsfileengine_p.h
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ struct ProcessOpenModeResult {
     QIODevice::OpenMode openMode;
     QString error;
 };
-inline Q_CORE_EXPORT ProcessOpenModeResult processOpenModeFlags(QIODevice::OpenMode mode);
+Q_CORE_EXPORT ProcessOpenModeResult processOpenModeFlags(QIODevice::OpenMode mode);
 
 class QFSFileEnginePrivate;