diff --git a/src/libs/utils/processhandle.h b/src/libs/utils/processhandle.h
index 7b5bb639238..f1d2299bdc3 100644
--- a/src/libs/utils/processhandle.h
+++ b/src/libs/utils/processhandle.h
@@ -41,17 +41,17 @@ public:
     void setPid(qint64 pid);
     qint64 pid() const;
 
-    bool equals(const ProcessHandle &) const;
-
     bool activate();
 
 private:
+    bool equals(const ProcessHandle &) const;
+
+    friend bool operator==(const ProcessHandle &p, const ProcessHandle &q) { return p.equals(q); }
+    friend bool operator!=(const ProcessHandle &p, const ProcessHandle &q) { return !p.equals(q); }
+
     qint64 m_pid;
 };
 
-inline bool operator==(const ProcessHandle &p1, const ProcessHandle &p2) { return p1.equals(p2); }
-inline bool operator!=(const ProcessHandle &p1, const ProcessHandle &p2) { return !p1.equals(p2); }
-
 } // Utils
 
 Q_DECLARE_METATYPE(Utils::ProcessHandle)