diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/memory/autoPtr/autoPtr.H b/src/OpenFOAM/memory/autoPtr/autoPtr.H
index 77dd1966c..76afd531c 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/memory/autoPtr/autoPtr.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/memory/autoPtr/autoPtr.H
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   =========                 |
   \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
    \\    /   O peration     |
-    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2011-2016 OpenFOAM Foundation
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
@@ -125,6 +125,9 @@ public:
             //- Return const object pointer
             inline const T* operator->() const;
 
+            //- Take over the object pointer from parameter
+            inline void operator=(T*);
+
             //- Take over the object pointer from parameter
             inline void operator=(const autoPtr<T>&);
 };
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/memory/autoPtr/autoPtrI.H b/src/OpenFOAM/memory/autoPtr/autoPtrI.H
index 7c35448f7..7eaa605a8 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/memory/autoPtr/autoPtrI.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/memory/autoPtr/autoPtrI.H
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
   =========                 |
   \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
    \\    /   O peration     |
-    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2011-2016 OpenFOAM Foundation
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2011-2017 OpenFOAM Foundation
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
@@ -190,6 +190,13 @@ inline const T* Foam::autoPtr<T>::operator->() const
 }
 
 
+template<class T>
+inline void Foam::autoPtr<T>::operator=(T* p)
+{
+    reset(p);
+}
+
+
 template<class T>
 inline void Foam::autoPtr<T>::operator=(const autoPtr<T>& ap)
 {