diff --git a/src/plugins/debugger/debuggermainwindow.cpp b/src/plugins/debugger/debuggermainwindow.cpp
index 0c87b00a13d..a4e2f0af68d 100644
--- a/src/plugins/debugger/debuggermainwindow.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/debugger/debuggermainwindow.cpp
@@ -455,12 +455,13 @@ QList<QWidget *> ToolbarDescription::widgets() const
     return m_widgets;
 }
 
-void ToolbarDescription::addAction(QAction *action, const QIcon &toolbarIcon)
+QToolButton *ToolbarDescription::addAction(QAction *action, const QIcon &toolbarIcon)
 {
     auto button = new QToolButton;
     button->setDefaultAction(toolbarIcon.isNull()
                              ? action : ProxyAction::proxyActionWithIcon(action, toolbarIcon));
     m_widgets.append(button);
+    return button;
 }
 
 void ToolbarDescription::addWidget(QWidget *widget)
diff --git a/src/plugins/debugger/debuggermainwindow.h b/src/plugins/debugger/debuggermainwindow.h
index 08970aaeadc..7755fdacab7 100644
--- a/src/plugins/debugger/debuggermainwindow.h
+++ b/src/plugins/debugger/debuggermainwindow.h
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ public:
 
     QList<QWidget *> widgets() const;
 
-    void addAction(QAction *action, const QIcon &toolbarIcon = QIcon());
+    QToolButton *addAction(QAction *action, const QIcon &toolbarIcon = QIcon());
     void addWidget(QWidget *widget);
 
 private: