diff --git a/service/annotations/src/main/java/com/google/auto/service/AutoService.java b/service/annotations/src/main/java/com/google/auto/service/AutoService.java
index 260766c14b..b473d14454 100644
--- a/service/annotations/src/main/java/com/google/auto/service/AutoService.java
+++ b/service/annotations/src/main/java/com/google/auto/service/AutoService.java
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 package com.google.auto.service;
 
 import static java.lang.annotation.ElementType.TYPE;
-import static java.lang.annotation.RetentionPolicy.CLASS;
+import static java.lang.annotation.RetentionPolicy.SOURCE;
 
 import java.lang.annotation.Documented;
 import java.lang.annotation.Retention;
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@
  * </ul>
  */
 @Documented
-@Retention(CLASS)
+@Retention(SOURCE)
 @Target(TYPE)
 public @interface AutoService {
   /** Returns the interfaces implemented by this service provider. */