diff --git a/tools/perf/util/symbol.h b/tools/perf/util/symbol.h
index bcc0d84a42b8..22660c7614a5 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/symbol.h
+++ b/tools/perf/util/symbol.h
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 #define __PERF_SYMBOL 1
 
 #include <linux/types.h>
+#include <linux/refcount.h>
 #include <stdbool.h>
 #include <stdint.h>
 #include <linux/list.h>