diff --git a/include/wx/msw/timer.h b/include/wx/msw/timer.h
index eb65f21795..1db218cbfc 100644
--- a/include/wx/msw/timer.h
+++ b/include/wx/msw/timer.h
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ public:
     int Interval() const { return milli; };
     bool OneShot() const { return oneShot; }
 
-protected:
+public:
     bool oneShot ;
     int  milli ;
     int  lastMilli ;