diff --git a/sphinx/ext/autosummary/generate.py b/sphinx/ext/autosummary/generate.py
index 177d25e9d..e1dd1be51 100644
--- a/sphinx/ext/autosummary/generate.py
+++ b/sphinx/ext/autosummary/generate.py
@@ -151,6 +151,7 @@ def generate_autosummary_content(name: str, obj: Any, parent: Any,
     def get_members(obj: Any, types: Set[str], include_public: List[str] = [],
                     imported: bool = True) -> Tuple[List[str], List[str]]:
         items = []  # type: List[str]
+        public = []  # type: List[str]
         for name in dir(obj):
             try:
                 value = safe_getattr(obj, name)
@@ -160,10 +161,18 @@ def generate_autosummary_content(name: str, obj: Any, parent: Any,
             if documenter.objtype in types:
                 # skip imported members if expected
                 if imported or getattr(value, '__module__', None) == obj.__name__:
-                    if not skip_member(value, name, documenter.objtype):
+                    skipped = skip_member(value, name, documenter.objtype)
+                    if skipped is True:
+                        pass
+                    elif skipped is False:
+                        # show the member forcedly
                         items.append(name)
-        public = [x for x in items
-                  if x in include_public or not x.startswith('_')]
+                        public.append(name)
+                    else:
+                        items.append(name)
+                        if name in include_public or not name.startswith('_'):
+                            # considers member as public
+                            public.append(name)
         return public, items
 
     ns = {}  # type: Dict[str, Any]
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-ext-autosummary-skip-member/conf.py b/tests/roots/test-ext-autosummary-skip-member/conf.py
index 7adf2eb1d..7c8f0e9cf 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-ext-autosummary-skip-member/conf.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-ext-autosummary-skip-member/conf.py
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ autodoc_default_options = {'members': True}
 def skip_member(app, what, name, obj, skip, options):
     if name == 'skipmeth':
         return True
+    elif name == '_privatemeth':
+        return False
 
 
 def setup(app):
diff --git a/tests/roots/test-ext-autosummary-skip-member/target.py b/tests/roots/test-ext-autosummary-skip-member/target.py
index aeef054e1..fdf557eee 100644
--- a/tests/roots/test-ext-autosummary-skip-member/target.py
+++ b/tests/roots/test-ext-autosummary-skip-member/target.py
@@ -8,3 +8,7 @@ class Foo:
     def skipmeth(self):
         """docstring of skipmeth."""
         pass
+
+    def _privatemeth(self):
+        """docstring of _privatemeth."""
+        pass
diff --git a/tests/test_ext_autosummary.py b/tests/test_ext_autosummary.py
index 93b2fe9af..1948f6ae7 100644
--- a/tests/test_ext_autosummary.py
+++ b/tests/test_ext_autosummary.py
@@ -315,6 +315,7 @@ def test_autosummary_skip_member(app):
 
     content = (app.srcdir / 'generate' / 'target.Foo.rst').text()
     assert 'Foo.skipmeth' not in content
+    assert 'Foo._privatemeth' in content
 
 
 @pytest.mark.sphinx('dummy', testroot='ext-autosummary',