diff --git a/extendr-api/src/robj/mod.rs b/extendr-api/src/robj/mod.rs
index 76a74351a2..dae6cacca4 100644
--- a/extendr-api/src/robj/mod.rs
+++ b/extendr-api/src/robj/mod.rs
@@ -34,9 +34,11 @@ pub use operators::Operators;
 pub use operators::*;
 pub use rinternals::Rinternals;
 
-pub struct RobjRef<'a, T>(&'a T);
+#[derive(Debug)]
+pub struct RobjRef<'a, T>(pub &'a T);
 
-pub struct RobjMut<'a, T>(&'a mut T);
+#[derive(Debug)]
+pub struct RobjMut<'a, T>(pub &'a mut T);
 
 /// Wrapper for an R S-expression pointer (SEXP).
 ///