diff --git a/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/statusbar/phone/PhoneStatusBar.java b/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/statusbar/phone/PhoneStatusBar.java
index 3aa576ffc0a1f..401d405e83b97 100644
--- a/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/statusbar/phone/PhoneStatusBar.java
+++ b/packages/SystemUI/src/com/android/systemui/statusbar/phone/PhoneStatusBar.java
@@ -318,7 +318,7 @@ public class PhoneStatusBar extends BaseStatusBar implements DemoMode,
     StatusBarIconController mIconController;
 
     // expanded notifications
-    NotificationPanelView mNotificationPanel; // the sliding/resizing panel within the notification window
+    protected NotificationPanelView mNotificationPanel; // the sliding/resizing panel within the notification window
     View mExpandedContents;
     TextView mNotificationPanelDebugText;