diff --git a/core/org.eclipse.cdt.ui/src/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/ui/editor/CEditor.java b/core/org.eclipse.cdt.ui/src/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/ui/editor/CEditor.java
index d9487f40574..8c23209880a 100644
--- a/core/org.eclipse.cdt.ui/src/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/ui/editor/CEditor.java
+++ b/core/org.eclipse.cdt.ui/src/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/ui/editor/CEditor.java
@@ -1561,7 +1561,7 @@ public class CEditor extends TextEditor implements ISelectionChangedListener {
 		asv.hideOverviewRuler();
 	}
 	
-	private boolean isOverviewRulerVisible() {
+	protected boolean isOverviewRulerVisible() {
 		IPreferenceStore store= getPreferenceStore();
 		return store.getBoolean(OVERVIEW_RULER);
 	}