diff --git a/hw/xfree86/common/xf86Helper.c b/hw/xfree86/common/xf86Helper.c
index 09cbac6f1..9839622f0 100644
--- a/hw/xfree86/common/xf86Helper.c
+++ b/hw/xfree86/common/xf86Helper.c
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@
 #include "xf86InPriv.h"
 #include "xf86Config.h"
 #include "mivalidate.h"
+#include "xf86Module_priv.h"
 
 /* For xf86GetClocks */
 #if defined(CSRG_BASED) || defined(__GNU__)
diff --git a/hw/xfree86/common/xf86Init.c b/hw/xfree86/common/xf86Init.c
index bcfaf8d1d..a21afe04b 100644
--- a/hw/xfree86/common/xf86Init.c
+++ b/hw/xfree86/common/xf86Init.c
@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@
 #include "systemd-logind.h"
 #include "loaderProcs.h"
 
+#include "xf86Module_priv.h"
 #include "xf86.h"
 #include "xf86Priv.h"
 #include "xf86Config.h"
diff --git a/hw/xfree86/common/xf86Module.h b/hw/xfree86/common/xf86Module.h
index 8db6ad6de..6c25c4bd1 100644
--- a/hw/xfree86/common/xf86Module.h
+++ b/hw/xfree86/common/xf86Module.h
@@ -151,8 +151,6 @@ typedef struct {
 extern _X_EXPORT void *LoadSubModule(void *, const char *, const char **,
                                        const char **, void *,
                                        const XF86ModReqInfo *, int *, int *);
-extern _X_EXPORT void UnloadSubModule(void *);
-extern _X_EXPORT void UnloadModule(void *);
 extern _X_EXPORT void *LoaderSymbol(const char *);
 extern _X_EXPORT void *LoaderSymbolFromModule(void *, const char *);
 extern _X_EXPORT void LoaderErrorMsg(const char *, const char *, int, int);
diff --git a/hw/xfree86/common/xf86Module_priv.h b/hw/xfree86/common/xf86Module_priv.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8a5995382
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hw/xfree86/common/xf86Module_priv.h
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+/* SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT OR X11
+ *
+ * Copyright © 2024 Enrico Weigelt, metux IT consult <info@metux.net>
+ */
+#ifndef _XORG_XF86MODULE_PRIV_H
+#define _XORG_XF86MODULE_PRIV_H
+
+/*
+ * unload a previously loaded module
+ *
+ * @param mod the module to unload
+ */
+void UnloadModule(ModuleDescPtr mod);
+
+/*
+ * unload a previously loaded sun-module
+ *
+ * @param mod the sub-module to unload
+ */
+void UnloadSubModule(ModuleDescPtr mod);
+
+#endif /* _XORG_XF86MODULE_PRIV_H */
diff --git a/hw/xfree86/common/xf86Xinput.c b/hw/xfree86/common/xf86Xinput.c
index 2d310cc58..d0f9db52e 100644
--- a/hw/xfree86/common/xf86Xinput.c
+++ b/hw/xfree86/common/xf86Xinput.c
@@ -76,6 +76,7 @@
 #include "eventstr.h"
 #include "inpututils.h"
 #include "optionstr.h"
+#include "xf86Module_priv.h"
 
 #ifdef HAVE_FNMATCH_H
 #include <fnmatch.h>
diff --git a/hw/xfree86/loader/loadmod.c b/hw/xfree86/loader/loadmod.c
index cca11028c..39763453c 100644
--- a/hw/xfree86/loader/loadmod.c
+++ b/hw/xfree86/loader/loadmod.c
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@
 #include "loaderProcs.h"
 #include "xf86Module.h"
 #include "loader.h"
+#include "xf86Module_priv.h"
 
 #include <sys/stat.h>
 #include <sys/types.h>
@@ -840,10 +841,8 @@ LoadModule(const char *module, void *options, const XF86ModReqInfo *modreq,
 }
 
 void
-UnloadModule(void *_mod)
+UnloadModule(ModuleDescPtr mod)
 {
-    ModuleDescPtr mod = _mod;
-
     if (mod == (ModuleDescPtr) 1)
         return;
 
@@ -873,10 +872,8 @@ UnloadModule(void *_mod)
 }
 
 void
-UnloadSubModule(void *_mod)
+UnloadSubModule(ModuleDescPtr mod)
 {
-    ModuleDescPtr mod = (ModuleDescPtr) _mod;
-
     /* Some drivers are calling us on built-in submodules, ignore them */
     if (mod == (ModuleDescPtr) 1)
         return;