diff --git a/include/pybind11/type_caster_pyobject_ptr.h b/include/pybind11/type_caster_pyobject_ptr.h
index aa914f9e1..7789c0401 100644
--- a/include/pybind11/type_caster_pyobject_ptr.h
+++ b/include/pybind11/type_caster_pyobject_ptr.h
@@ -32,7 +32,8 @@ public:
             raise_from(PyExc_SystemError, "src != nullptr but PyErr_Occurred()");
             throw error_already_set();
         }
-        if (policy == return_value_policy::take_ownership) {
+        if (policy == return_value_policy::take_ownership
+            || policy == return_value_policy::_clif_automatic) {
             return src;
         }
         if (policy == return_value_policy::reference