diff --git a/include/wx/os2/palette.h b/include/wx/os2/palette.h
index bdb45a57e0..78d794277b 100644
--- a/include/wx/os2/palette.h
+++ b/include/wx/os2/palette.h
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ class WXDLLEXPORT wxPaletteRefData: public wxGDIRefData
 public:
     wxPaletteRefData();
     ~wxPaletteRefData();
-protected:
+// protected:
     WXHPALETTE                      m_hPalette;
     HPS                             m_hPS;
 }; // end of CLASS wxPaletteRefData