diff --git a/include/ccnx-name.h b/include/ccnx-name.h
index 7c5447b..d652008 100644
--- a/include/ccnx-name.h
+++ b/include/ccnx-name.h
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 public:
   CcnxCharbuf();
   CcnxCharbuf(ccn_charbuf *buf);
+  CcnxCharbuf(const CcnxCharbuf &other);
   ~CcnxCharbuf();
 
   // expose internal data structure, use with caution!!
@@ -22,6 +23,9 @@
   getBuf() { return m_buf; }
   static CcnxCharbufPtr Null;
 
+private:
+  void init(ccn_charbuf *buf);
+
 protected:
   ccn_charbuf *m_buf;
 };