diff --git a/dom/url/URL.cpp b/dom/url/URL.cpp
index 7a194f5ba..6316d12c2 100644
--- a/dom/url/URL.cpp
+++ b/dom/url/URL.cpp
@@ -1792,11 +1792,11 @@ URL::CanParse(const GlobalObject& aGlobal, const nsAString& aURL,
   return true;
 }
 
-URLSearchParams*
+already_AddRefed<URLSearchParams>
 URL::SearchParams()
 {
   CreateSearchParamsIfNeeded();
-  return mSearchParams;
+  return do_AddRef(mSearchParams);
 }
 
 bool IsChromeURI(nsIURI* aURI)
diff --git a/dom/url/URL.h b/dom/url/URL.h
index 2ac1e06d7..5ac410981 100644
--- a/dom/url/URL.h
+++ b/dom/url/URL.h
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ public:
   virtual void
   SetSearch(const nsAString& aSearch, ErrorResult& aRv);
 
-  URLSearchParams* SearchParams();
+  already_AddRefed<URLSearchParams> SearchParams();
 
   virtual void
   GetHash(nsAString& aHost, ErrorResult& aRv) const = 0;