diff --git a/Grid/qcd/action/fermion/WilsonCloverFermion.h b/Grid/qcd/action/fermion/WilsonCloverFermion.h
index 91ad6d6d..92af7111 100644
--- a/Grid/qcd/action/fermion/WilsonCloverFermion.h
+++ b/Grid/qcd/action/fermion/WilsonCloverFermion.h
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ public:
     return out;
   }
 
-private:
+protected:
   // here fixing the 4 dimensions, make it more general?
 
   RealD csw_r;                                               // Clover coefficient - spatial