diff --git a/Source/cmUVHandlePtr.cxx b/Source/cmUVHandlePtr.cxx
index ca295e3f8e..7d41644722 100644
--- a/Source/cmUVHandlePtr.cxx
+++ b/Source/cmUVHandlePtr.cxx
@@ -54,6 +54,11 @@ uv_loop_t* uv_loop_ptr::operator->() const noexcept
   return this->loop.get();
 }
 
+uv_loop_t& uv_loop_ptr::operator*() const
+{
+  return *this->loop;
+}
+
 uv_loop_t* uv_loop_ptr::get() const
 {
   return this->loop.get();
diff --git a/Source/cmUVHandlePtr.h b/Source/cmUVHandlePtr.h
index 7617415a6a..174dc45dbc 100644
--- a/Source/cmUVHandlePtr.h
+++ b/Source/cmUVHandlePtr.h
@@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ public:
 
   uv_loop_t* get() const;
   uv_loop_t* operator->() const noexcept;
+  uv_loop_t& operator*() const;
 };
 
 /***