diff --git a/core/store/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/impl/StoreManager.java b/core/store/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/impl/StoreManager.java
index d7f09f8..c638177 100644
--- a/core/store/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/impl/StoreManager.java
+++ b/core/store/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/store/impl/StoreManager.java
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 
     private final Logger log = LoggerFactory.getLogger(getClass());
 
-    private HazelcastInstance instance;
+    protected HazelcastInstance instance;
 
     @Activate
     public void activate() {