diff --git a/test/watchdog_test.hpp b/test/watchdog_test.hpp
index beeda66..5b5348a 100644
--- a/test/watchdog_test.hpp
+++ b/test/watchdog_test.hpp
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
         // has happened that remaining time was off by few msecs.
         milliseconds defaultDrift;
 
-    private:
+    protected:
         // Dummy name for object path
         // This is just to satisfy the constructor. Does not have
         // a need to check if the objects paths have been created.