diff --git a/escher/include/escher/timer.h b/escher/include/escher/timer.h
index fe53301ef..3a7e2a7ec 100644
--- a/escher/include/escher/timer.h
+++ b/escher/include/escher/timer.h
@@ -18,10 +18,10 @@ public:
   Timer(uint32_t period); // Period is in ticks
   bool tick();
   void reset();
-  uint32_t m_period;
-  uint32_t m_numberOfTicksBeforeFire;
 protected:
   virtual bool fire() = 0;
+  uint32_t m_period;
+  uint32_t m_numberOfTicksBeforeFire;
 };
 
 #endif