diff --git a/libraries/AP_VisualOdom/AP_VisualOdom.h b/libraries/AP_VisualOdom/AP_VisualOdom.h
index 01801b1c00..bad93de03e 100644
--- a/libraries/AP_VisualOdom/AP_VisualOdom.h
+++ b/libraries/AP_VisualOdom/AP_VisualOdom.h
@@ -26,8 +26,6 @@ class AP_VisualOdom_Backend;
 class AP_VisualOdom
 {
 public:
-    friend class AP_VisualOdom_Backend;
-    friend class AP_VisualOdom_MAV;
 
     AP_VisualOdom();
 
@@ -51,6 +49,9 @@ public:
     // return true if sensor is basically healthy (we are receiving data)
     bool healthy() const;
 
+    // get user defined orientation
+    enum Rotation get_orientation() const { return (enum Rotation)_orientation.get(); }
+
     // return a 3D vector defining the position offset of the camera in meters relative to the body frame origin
     const Vector3f &get_pos_offset(void) const { return _pos_offset; }
 
@@ -74,9 +75,6 @@ private:
 
     static AP_VisualOdom *_singleton;
 
-    // get user defined orientation
-    enum Rotation get_orientation() const { return (enum Rotation)_orientation.get(); }
-
     // parameters
     AP_Int8 _type;
     AP_Vector3f _pos_offset;    // position offset of the camera in the body frame