diff --git a/Adafruit_BME280.h b/Adafruit_BME280.h
index db88379..60e5afd 100644
--- a/Adafruit_BME280.h
+++ b/Adafruit_BME280.h
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ class Adafruit_BME280 {
         float seaLevelForAltitude(float altitude, float pressure);
 
         
-    private:
+    protected:
 		TwoWire *_wire;
         void readCoefficients(void);
         bool isReadingCalibration(void);