diff --git a/src/java/com/threerings/util/DefaultMap.java b/src/java/com/threerings/util/DefaultMap.java
index c6b2ec2e9..d88d7b873 100644
--- a/src/java/com/threerings/util/DefaultMap.java
+++ b/src/java/com/threerings/util/DefaultMap.java
@@ -93,6 +93,15 @@ 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, Creator<K, V> creator)
+    {
+        _delegate = delegate;
+        _creator = creator;
+    }
+
     @Override // from Map
     public V get (Object key)
     {
@@ -105,12 +114,6 @@ public class DefaultMap<K, V> extends ForwardingMap<K, V>
         return value;
     }
 
-    protected DefaultMap (Map<K, V> delegate, Creator<K, V> creator)
-    {
-        _delegate = delegate;
-        _creator = creator;
-    }
-
     @Override // from ForwardingMap
     protected Map<K, V> delegate()
     {