diff --git a/src/java/org/apache/commons/lang/enum/Enum.java b/src/java/org/apache/commons/lang/enum/Enum.java
index 436cf5022..5ee3eff60 100644
--- a/src/java/org/apache/commons/lang/enum/Enum.java
+++ b/src/java/org/apache/commons/lang/enum/Enum.java
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ private static class Entry {
         /**
          * <p>Restrictive constructor.</p>
          */
-        private Entry() {
+        protected Entry() {
             super();
         }
     }