diff --git a/java/src/main/java/ai/rapids/cudf/HostColumnVector.java b/java/src/main/java/ai/rapids/cudf/HostColumnVector.java
index 7993989825d..3e4baf962bc 100644
--- a/java/src/main/java/ai/rapids/cudf/HostColumnVector.java
+++ b/java/src/main/java/ai/rapids/cudf/HostColumnVector.java
@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ private synchronized HostColumnVector incRefCountInternal(boolean isFirstTime) {
   /**
    * Returns this column's current refcount
    */
-  synchronized int getRefCount() {
+  public synchronized int getRefCount() {
     return refCount;
   }