diff --git a/dix/privates.c b/dix/privates.c
index 29e261f6b..8aab32d0e 100644
--- a/dix/privates.c
+++ b/dix/privates.c
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ dixAllocatePrivate(PrivateRec **privates, devprivate_key_t *const key)
 
     /* call any init funcs and return */
     if (item) {
-	PrivateCallbackRec calldata = { key, ptr->value };
+	PrivateCallbackRec calldata = { key, &ptr->value };
 	CallCallbacks(&item->initfuncs, &calldata);
     }
     return &ptr->value;
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ dixFreePrivates(PrivateRec *privates)
 	item = findItem(ptr->key);
 	if (item) {
 	    calldata.key = ptr->key;
-	    calldata.value = ptr->value;
+	    calldata.value = &ptr->value;
 	    CallCallbacks(&item->deletefuncs, &calldata);
 	}
     }
diff --git a/include/privates.h b/include/privates.h
index 6071e3958..e57f16712 100644
--- a/include/privates.h
+++ b/include/privates.h
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ dixSetPrivate(PrivateRec **privates, devprivate_key_t *const key, pointer val)
  */
 typedef struct _PrivateCallback {
     devprivate_key_t *key;	/* private registration key */
-    pointer value;		/* pointer to private */
+    pointer *value;		/* address of private pointer */
 } PrivateCallbackRec;
 
 extern int