diff --git a/src/main/java/org/jenkinsci/plugins/github_branch_source/GitHubAppCredentials.java b/src/main/java/org/jenkinsci/plugins/github_branch_source/GitHubAppCredentials.java
index c24024c00..0c2927aa2 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/jenkinsci/plugins/github_branch_source/GitHubAppCredentials.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/jenkinsci/plugins/github_branch_source/GitHubAppCredentials.java
@@ -498,7 +498,7 @@ long getTokenStaleEpochSeconds() {
      *   <li>The agent need not be able to contact GitHub.
      * </ul>
      */
-    private Object writeReplace() {
+    protected Object writeReplace() {
         if (
         /* XStream */ Channel.current() == null) {
             return this;