diff --git a/phpseclib/Net/SSH2.php b/phpseclib/Net/SSH2.php
index bd1eaa66..83cf6ac5 100644
--- a/phpseclib/Net/SSH2.php
+++ b/phpseclib/Net/SSH2.php
@@ -690,7 +690,7 @@ class SSH2
      * @see self::setTimeout()
      * @access private
      */
-    private $timeout;
+    protected $timeout;
 
     /**
      * Current Timeout