diff --git a/Adafruit_GFX.h b/Adafruit_GFX.h
index 63c6ab68..258c60bb 100644
--- a/Adafruit_GFX.h
+++ b/Adafruit_GFX.h
@@ -294,7 +294,7 @@ class Adafruit_GFX_Button {
   /**********************************************************************/
   bool isPressed(void) { return currstate; };
 
-private:
+protected:
   Adafruit_GFX *_gfx;
   int16_t _x1, _y1; // Coordinates of top-left corner
   uint16_t _w, _h;