diff --git a/openmc/deplete/__init__.py b/openmc/deplete/__init__.py
index 68f83bce0..052e22459 100644
--- a/openmc/deplete/__init__.py
+++ b/openmc/deplete/__init__.py
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ from .stepresult import *
 from .results import *
 from .integrators import *
 from .transfer_rates import *
-from .keff_search_control import *
 from .r2s import *
 from . import abc
 from . import cram
diff --git a/openmc/deplete/abc.py b/openmc/deplete/abc.py
index 5ca4d70e4..2c6d177c4 100644
--- a/openmc/deplete/abc.py
+++ b/openmc/deplete/abc.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ from .results import Results, _SECONDS_PER_MINUTE, _SECONDS_PER_HOUR, \
 from .pool import deplete
 from .reaction_rates import ReactionRates
 from .transfer_rates import TransferRates, ExternalSourceRates
-from .keff_search_control import KeffSearchControl
+from .keff_search_control import _KeffSearchControl
 
 
 __all__ = [
@@ -742,7 +742,7 @@ class Integrator(ABC):
 
     @keff_search_control.setter
     def keff_search_control(self, keff_search_control):
-        check_type('keff search control', keff_search_control, KeffSearchControl)
+        check_type('keff search control', keff_search_control, _KeffSearchControl)
         self._keff_search_control = keff_search_control
 
     def _timed_deplete(self, n, rates, dt, i=None, matrix_func=None):
@@ -1185,7 +1185,7 @@ class Integrator(ABC):
         .. versionadded:: 0.15.4
 
         """
-        self._keff_search_control = KeffSearchControl(
+        self._keff_search_control = _KeffSearchControl(
             self.operator, 
             function, 
             x0,
diff --git a/openmc/deplete/keff_search_control.py b/openmc/deplete/keff_search_control.py
index 678c1c060..731fd1214 100644
--- a/openmc/deplete/keff_search_control.py
+++ b/openmc/deplete/keff_search_control.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ from openmc.mpi import comm
 from typing import Callable
 from warnings import warn
 
-class KeffSearchControl:
+class _KeffSearchControl:
     """Controller for keff search during depletion calculations.
     
     This class performs keff searches to maintain a target keff by adjusting