diff --git a/Mesh_3/include/CGAL/Mesh_complex_3_in_triangulation_3.h b/Mesh_3/include/CGAL/Mesh_complex_3_in_triangulation_3.h
index b12eaf4a948..13c9d2d1295 100644
--- a/Mesh_3/include/CGAL/Mesh_complex_3_in_triangulation_3.h
+++ b/Mesh_3/include/CGAL/Mesh_complex_3_in_triangulation_3.h
@@ -286,6 +286,10 @@ public:
   {
     return corners_.size();
   }
+  size_type number_of_corners() const
+  {
+    return corners_.size();
+  }
 
   void rescan_after_load_of_triangulation();