diff --git a/src/cpu/static_inst.hh b/src/cpu/static_inst.hh
index fdec097560..fa42058364 100644
--- a/src/cpu/static_inst.hh
+++ b/src/cpu/static_inst.hh
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ isRomMicroPC(MicroPC upc)
  */
 class StaticInstBase : public RefCounted
 {
-  protected:
+  public:
 
     /// Set of boolean static instruction properties.
     ///
@@ -185,6 +185,8 @@ class StaticInstBase : public RefCounted
         NumFlags
     };
 
+  protected:
+
     /// Flag values for this instruction.
     std::bitset<NumFlags> flags;