diff --git a/ipn/backend.go b/ipn/backend.go
index 6d45d6e71..eee2b1b87 100644
--- a/ipn/backend.go
+++ b/ipn/backend.go
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ type Backend interface {
 	// SetPrefs installs a new set of user preferences, including
 	// WantRunning. This may cause the wireguard engine to
 	// reconfigure or stop.
-	SetPrefs(new *Prefs)
+	SetPrefs(*Prefs)
 	// RequestEngineStatus polls for an update from the wireguard
 	// engine. Only needed if you want to display byte
 	// counts. Connection events are emitted automatically without