diff --git a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/intent/IntentData.java b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/intent/IntentData.java
index 0f2bd84..3eea0d5 100644
--- a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/intent/IntentData.java
+++ b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/intent/IntentData.java
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@
         return state;
     }
 
-    public String key() {
+    public Key key() {
         return intent.key();
     }