diff --git a/phpseclib/Crypt/Base.php b/phpseclib/Crypt/Base.php
index 521e2fd8..49ef2385 100644
--- a/phpseclib/Crypt/Base.php
+++ b/phpseclib/Crypt/Base.php
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ abstract class Base
      * @var Boolean
      * @access private
      */
-    static WHIRLPOOL_AVAILABLE;
+    public static WHIRLPOOL_AVAILABLE;
 
     /**#@+
      * @access private