diff --git a/cpp/src/arrow/chunk_resolver.h b/cpp/src/arrow/chunk_resolver.h
index f40514f980a8c..30831816a337d 100644
--- a/cpp/src/arrow/chunk_resolver.h
+++ b/cpp/src/arrow/chunk_resolver.h
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@
 
 namespace arrow {
 
-struct ChunkResolver;
+class ChunkResolver;
 
 template <typename IndexType>
 struct ARROW_EXPORT TypedChunkLocation {