diff --git a/public/java/src/org/broadinstitute/sting/gatk/walkers/Walker.java b/public/java/src/org/broadinstitute/sting/gatk/walkers/Walker.java
index 792fef9c3..6264808f4 100755
--- a/public/java/src/org/broadinstitute/sting/gatk/walkers/Walker.java
+++ b/public/java/src/org/broadinstitute/sting/gatk/walkers/Walker.java
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ public abstract class Walker<MapType, ReduceType> {
         return getToolkit().getMasterSequenceDictionary();
     }
 
-    protected SampleDB getSampleDB() {
+    public SampleDB getSampleDB() {
         return getToolkit().getSampleDB();
     }