diff --git a/core-common/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/Named.java b/core-common/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/Named.java
index dd64aff5c..d98094992 100644
--- a/core-common/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/Named.java
+++ b/core-common/src/main/java/org/mapstruct/Named.java
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ import java.lang.annotation.Target;
  * @see MapMapping#valueQualifiedByName()
  */
 @Target( { ElementType.TYPE, ElementType.METHOD } )
-@Retention( RetentionPolicy.RUNTIME )
+@Retention( RetentionPolicy.CLASS )
 @Qualifier
 public @interface Named {