diff --git a/core/src/main/java/org/acegisecurity/AuthenticationException.java b/core/src/main/java/org/acegisecurity/AuthenticationException.java
index 4486ee1e85..3476d5b94e 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/org/acegisecurity/AuthenticationException.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/org/acegisecurity/AuthenticationException.java
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ public abstract class AuthenticationException extends AcegiSecurityException {
 
     //~ Methods ================================================================
 
-    public void setAuthentication(Authentication authentication) {
+    void setAuthentication(Authentication authentication) {
         this.authentication = authentication;
     }