diff --git a/src/compose.js b/src/compose.js
index 8cce3fa..ef79ba1 100644
--- a/src/compose.js
+++ b/src/compose.js
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ export default function compose(dataLoader, options = {}) {
       propsToWatch = null, // Watch all the props.
       shouldSubscribe = null,
       shouldUpdate = null,
+      withRef = false,
     } = options;
 
     class Container extends React.Component {
@@ -119,12 +120,16 @@ export default function compose(dataLoader, options = {}) {
           ...data,
         };
 
-        const setChildRef = (c) => {
-          this.child = c;
-        };
+        const refs = {};
+        if (withRef) {
+          const setChildRef = (c) => {
+            this.child = c;
+          };
+          refs.ref = setChildRef;
+        }
 
         return (
-          <Child ref={setChildRef} {...finalProps} />
+          <Child {...refs} {...finalProps} />
         );
       }
     }
diff --git a/src/tests/compose.js b/src/tests/compose.js
index d2e9aa0..ec3abdd 100644
--- a/src/tests/compose.js
+++ b/src/tests/compose.js
@@ -72,9 +72,10 @@ describe('compose', () => {
     });
 
     it('should set the child ref', () => {
+      const options = { withRef: true };
       const Container = compose((props, onData) => {
         onData(null, { name: 'arunoda' });
-      })(Comp);
+      }, options)(Comp);
       const el = mount(<Container name="arunoda" />);
       expect(el.instance().child.props.name).to.be.equal('arunoda');
     });