diff --git a/dix/dix_priv.h b/dix/dix_priv.h
index 6c1c547b8..3174561cd 100644
--- a/dix/dix_priv.h
+++ b/dix/dix_priv.h
@@ -303,4 +303,14 @@ int EventSuppressForWindow(WindowPtr pWindow,
                            Bool *checkOptional)
     _X_ATTRIBUTE_NONNULL_ARG(1,2,4);
 
+/*
+ * @brief allocate new ClientRec and initialize it
+ *
+ * Returns NULL on allocation failure or when client limit reached.
+ *
+ * @param ospriv pointer to OS layer's internal data
+ * @return pointer to new ClientRec or NULL on failure
+ */
+ClientPtr NextAvailableClient(void *ospriv);
+
 #endif /* _XSERVER_DIX_PRIV_H */
diff --git a/include/dix.h b/include/dix.h
index e40a3e64c..85718b724 100644
--- a/include/dix.h
+++ b/include/dix.h
@@ -162,8 +162,6 @@ extern _X_EXPORT void UpdateCurrentTimeIf(void);
  */
 _X_EXPORT int dixDestroyPixmap(void *pPixmap, XID unused);
 
-extern _X_EXPORT ClientPtr NextAvailableClient(void *ospriv);
-
 extern _X_EXPORT void SendErrorToClient(ClientPtr /*client */ ,
                                         unsigned int /*majorCode */ ,
                                         unsigned int /*minorCode */ ,