diff --git a/include/wx/generic/splitter.h b/include/wx/generic/splitter.h
index 0307f1902a..3f4f31b1cd 100644
--- a/include/wx/generic/splitter.h
+++ b/include/wx/generic/splitter.h
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ protected:
 
     void SendUnsplitEvent(wxWindow *winRemoved);
 
-private:
+protected:
     void Init();