diff --git a/servlet/src/main/java/io/grpc/servlet/GrpcServlet.java b/servlet/src/main/java/io/grpc/servlet/GrpcServlet.java
index 8c1eb858ad1..4281560d9f2 100644
--- a/servlet/src/main/java/io/grpc/servlet/GrpcServlet.java
+++ b/servlet/src/main/java/io/grpc/servlet/GrpcServlet.java
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ public class GrpcServlet extends HttpServlet {
   @SuppressWarnings("serial")
   private final ServletAdapter servletAdapter;
 
-  GrpcServlet(ServletAdapter servletAdapter) {
+  protected GrpcServlet(ServletAdapter servletAdapter) {
     this.servletAdapter = servletAdapter;
   }