diff --git a/lib/Doctrine/Common/DataFixtures/AbstractFixture.php b/lib/Doctrine/Common/DataFixtures/AbstractFixture.php
index <HASH>..<HASH> 100644
--- a/lib/Doctrine/Common/DataFixtures/AbstractFixture.php
+++ b/lib/Doctrine/Common/DataFixtures/AbstractFixture.php
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ abstract class AbstractFixture implements SharedFixtureInterface
      * 
      * @var ReferenceRepository
      */
-    private $referenceRepository;
+    protected $referenceRepository;
     
     /**
      * {@inheritdoc}
Change accessibility of referenceRepository to protected