diff --git a/hibernate-core/src/main/java/org/hibernate/persister/entity/AbstractEntityPersister.java b/hibernate-core/src/main/java/org/hibernate/persister/entity/AbstractEntityPersister.java
index 38f1c88b9a..df647eefbc 100644
--- a/hibernate-core/src/main/java/org/hibernate/persister/entity/AbstractEntityPersister.java
+++ b/hibernate-core/src/main/java/org/hibernate/persister/entity/AbstractEntityPersister.java
@@ -4316,11 +4316,11 @@ public abstract class AbstractEntityPersister
 		}
 	}
 
-	private UniqueEntityLoader buildMergeCascadeEntityLoader(LockMode ignored) {
+	protected UniqueEntityLoader buildMergeCascadeEntityLoader(LockMode ignored) {
 		return new CascadeEntityLoader( this, CascadingActions.MERGE, getFactory() );
 	}
 
-	private UniqueEntityLoader buildRefreshCascadeEntityLoader(LockMode ignored) {
+	protected UniqueEntityLoader buildRefreshCascadeEntityLoader(LockMode ignored) {
 		return new CascadeEntityLoader( this, CascadingActions.REFRESH, getFactory() );
 	}