diff --git a/bundles/org.openhab.binding.avmfritz/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/avmfritz/internal/handler/AVMFritzBaseBridgeHandler.java b/bundles/org.openhab.binding.avmfritz/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/avmfritz/internal/handler/AVMFritzBaseBridgeHandler.java
index eb416c4f6ffbb..0c63ddfe30785 100644
--- a/bundles/org.openhab.binding.avmfritz/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/avmfritz/internal/handler/AVMFritzBaseBridgeHandler.java
+++ b/bundles/org.openhab.binding.avmfritz/src/main/java/org/openhab/binding/avmfritz/internal/handler/AVMFritzBaseBridgeHandler.java
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ public abstract class AVMFritzBaseBridgeHandler extends BaseBridgeHandler {
     /**
      * Refresh interval which is used to poll values from the FRITZ!Box web interface (optional, defaults to 15 s)
      */
-    protected long refreshInterval = 15;
+    private long refreshInterval = 15;
 
     /**
      * Interface object for querying the FRITZ!Box web interface