diff --git a/src/libs/utils/treemodel.h b/src/libs/utils/treemodel.h
index fd06979c065..300ace1a18e 100644
--- a/src/libs/utils/treemodel.h
+++ b/src/libs/utils/treemodel.h
@@ -136,8 +136,6 @@ private:
 
     TreeItem *m_parent; // Not owned.
     BaseTreeModel *m_model; // Not owned.
-
- protected:
     QVector<TreeItem *> m_children; // Owned.
     friend class BaseTreeModel;
 };