diff --git a/org.springframework.integration/src/main/java/org/springframework/integration/handler/HandlerMethodUtils.java b/org.springframework.integration/src/main/java/org/springframework/integration/handler/HandlerMethodUtils.java
index 4b28aa1c43..2acf40d6bb 100644
--- a/org.springframework.integration/src/main/java/org/springframework/integration/handler/HandlerMethodUtils.java
+++ b/org.springframework.integration/src/main/java/org/springframework/integration/handler/HandlerMethodUtils.java
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ import org.springframework.util.ReflectionUtils;
  * 
  * @author Mark Fisher
  */
-public abstract class HandlerMethodUtils {
+abstract class HandlerMethodUtils {
 
 	/**
 	 * Verifies that the provided Method is capable of handling Messages.