diff --git a/easyrules-core/src/main/java/io/github/benas/easyrules/core/CompositeRule.java b/easyrules-core/src/main/java/io/github/benas/easyrules/core/CompositeRule.java
index 11ac352..9179a2a 100644
--- a/easyrules-core/src/main/java/io/github/benas/easyrules/core/CompositeRule.java
+++ b/easyrules-core/src/main/java/io/github/benas/easyrules/core/CompositeRule.java
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ public class CompositeRule extends BasicRule {
     /**
      * The set of composing rules.
      */
-    private Set<Rule> rules;
+    protected Set<Rule> rules;
 
     public CompositeRule() {
         this(EasyRulesConstants.DEFAULT_RULE_NAME,