diff --git a/atk/Object.custom b/atk/Object.custom
index 52f001705..cd92e5679 100644
--- a/atk/Object.custom
+++ b/atk/Object.custom
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@
 		}
 		
 		[GLib.DefaultSignalHandler (Type=typeof(Atk.Object), ConnectionMethod="OverrideRefChild")]
-		public virtual Atk.Object RefChild(int i) {
+		protected virtual Atk.Object OnRefChild(int i) {
 			return null;
 		}