diff --git a/spring-batch-infrastructure/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/item/adapter/AbstractMethodInvokingDelegator.java b/spring-batch-infrastructure/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/item/adapter/AbstractMethodInvokingDelegator.java
index 1b86efef1..417e3bd60 100644
--- a/spring-batch-infrastructure/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/item/adapter/AbstractMethodInvokingDelegator.java
+++ b/spring-batch-infrastructure/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/item/adapter/AbstractMethodInvokingDelegator.java
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ import org.springframework.util.MethodInvoker;
  * 
  * @author Robert Kasanicky
  */
-public class AbstractMethodInvokingDelegator<T> implements InitializingBean {
+public abstract class AbstractMethodInvokingDelegator<T> implements InitializingBean {
 	
 	private Object targetObject;