diff --git a/src/main/java/net/floodlightcontroller/routing/ForwardingBase.java b/src/main/java/net/floodlightcontroller/routing/ForwardingBase.java
index 22312c1..348a7af 100644
--- a/src/main/java/net/floodlightcontroller/routing/ForwardingBase.java
+++ b/src/main/java/net/floodlightcontroller/routing/ForwardingBase.java
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@
 public abstract class ForwardingBase 
     implements IOFMessageListener, IDeviceListener {
     
-    protected static Logger log =
+    protected final static Logger log =
             LoggerFactory.getLogger(ForwardingBase.class);
 
     protected static int OFMESSAGE_DAMPER_CAPACITY = 50000; // TODO: find sweet spot