diff --git a/spring-core/src/main/java/org/springframework/core/env/PropertySourcesPropertyResolver.java b/spring-core/src/main/java/org/springframework/core/env/PropertySourcesPropertyResolver.java
index edf0b72965b4..ae7adebe6477 100644
--- a/spring-core/src/main/java/org/springframework/core/env/PropertySourcesPropertyResolver.java
+++ b/spring-core/src/main/java/org/springframework/core/env/PropertySourcesPropertyResolver.java
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
  */
 public class PropertySourcesPropertyResolver extends AbstractPropertyResolver {
 
-	private final PropertySources propertySources;
+	protected final PropertySources propertySources;
 
 
 	/**