diff --git a/modules/@angular/platform-browser/src/browser/tools/tools.ts b/modules/@angular/platform-browser/src/browser/tools/tools.ts
index 7a4763faa1..b5ccca5668 100644
--- a/modules/@angular/platform-browser/src/browser/tools/tools.ts
+++ b/modules/@angular/platform-browser/src/browser/tools/tools.ts
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ var context = <any>global;
  * 1. Try the change detection profiler `ng.profiler.timeChangeDetection()`
  *    then hit Enter.
  */
-export function enableDebugTools(ref: ComponentRef<any>): void {
+export function enableDebugTools<T>(ref: ComponentRef<T>): ComponentRef<T> {
   context.ng = new AngularTools(ref);
   return ref;
 }