diff --git a/tosfs/core.py b/tosfs/core.py
index f0b2d22..f3b375a 100644
--- a/tosfs/core.py
+++ b/tosfs/core.py
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ def _lsdir(
         :param versions: Whether to list object versions.
         :return: A list of objects in the bucket.
         """
-        bucket, key, _ = self.split_path(path)
+        bucket, key, _ = self._split_path(path)
         if not prefix:
             prefix = ""
         if key:
@@ -272,7 +272,7 @@ def _listdir(
             logger.error("Tosfs failed with unknown error: %s", e)
             raise TosfsError(f"Tosfs failed with unknown error: {e}") from e
 
-    def split_path(self, path) -> Tuple[str, str, Optional[str]]:
+    def _split_path(self, path) -> Tuple[str, str, Optional[str]]:
         """
         Normalise tos path string into bucket and key.