diff --git a/spring-webflux/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/reactive/result/method/annotation/ResponseEntityExceptionHandler.java b/spring-webflux/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/reactive/result/method/annotation/ResponseEntityExceptionHandler.java
index bdeb71240db4..595d94c95c65 100644
--- a/spring-webflux/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/reactive/result/method/annotation/ResponseEntityExceptionHandler.java
+++ b/spring-webflux/src/main/java/org/springframework/web/reactive/result/method/annotation/ResponseEntityExceptionHandler.java
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ public void setMessageSource(MessageSource messageSource) {
 	}
 
 	@Nullable
-	public MessageSource getMessageSource() {
+	protected MessageSource getMessageSource() {
 		return this.messageSource;
 	}