diff --git a/include/cef.h b/include/cef.h
index adae0d3e9..b61882e1a 100644
--- a/include/cef.h
+++ b/include/cef.h
@@ -416,6 +416,9 @@ public:
   // Return the current number of references.
   ///
   virtual int GetRefCt() =0;
+
+protected:
+  virtual ~CefBase() {}
 };