diff --git a/parser/parser.h b/parser/parser.h
index cab34eb..158c90c 100644
--- a/parser/parser.h
+++ b/parser/parser.h
@@ -7,8 +7,6 @@
 
 #define YYSTYPE refptr<Node>
 
-extern YYSTYPE parsed_scene_node;
-
-int parse(const char * fileName);
+refptr<Node> parse(const char * fileName);
 
 #endif
diff --git a/parser/parser.yy b/parser/parser.yy
index 6789493..8a6f9ec 100644
--- a/parser/parser.yy
+++ b/parser/parser.yy
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ int yywrap()
     return 1;
 }
 
-refptr<Node> parsed_scene_node;
+static refptr<Node> parsed_scene_node;
 
 %}
 
@@ -387,14 +387,14 @@ vector: LESS number COMMA number COMMA number GREATER {
 
 %%
 
-int parse(const char * fileName)
+refptr<Node> parse(const char * fileName)
 {
     yyin = fopen(fileName, "r");
     if (yyin == NULL)
     {
         cerr << "Failed to open file '" << fileName << "'" << endl;
-        return -1;
+        return refptr<Node>(NULL);
     }
     yyparse();
-    return 0;
+    return parsed_scene_node;
 }