diff --git a/otk/timer.hh b/otk/timer.hh
index 556475c1..7e40aed7 100644
--- a/otk/timer.hh
+++ b/otk/timer.hh
@@ -73,6 +73,9 @@ private:
   */
   static void timevalAdd(timeval &a, long msec);
 
+  // prevent people from using timers except as pointers
+  ~Timer() {}
+  
 public:
   //! Constructs a new running timer and queues it
   /*!