diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/util/DefaultMap.java b/src/java/com/threerings/util/DefaultMap.java
index 786e97aad..ab60f4b47 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/util/DefaultMap.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/util/DefaultMap.java
@@ -95,15 +95,6 @@ public class DefaultMap<K, V> extends ForwardingMap<K, V>
         return new DefaultMap<K, V>(delegate, creator);
     }
 
-    /**
-     * Creates a default map backed by the supplied map using the supplied default creator.
-     */
-    public DefaultMap (Map<K, V> delegate, Function<K, V> creator)
-    {
-        _delegate = delegate;
-        _creator = creator;
-    }
-
     /**
      * Looks up the supplied key in the map, returning the value to which it is mapped. If the key
      * has no mapping, a default value will be obtained for the requested key and placed into the
@@ -119,6 +110,15 @@ public class DefaultMap<K, V> extends ForwardingMap<K, V>
         return value;
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Creates a default map backed by the supplied map using the supplied default creator.
+     */
+    protected DefaultMap (Map<K, V> delegate, Function<K, V> creator)
+    {
+        _delegate = delegate;
+        _creator = creator;
+    }
+
     @Override // from ForwardingMap
     protected Map<K, V> delegate()
     {