diff --git a/CloudObjects/SDK/CloudObject.php b/CloudObjects/SDK/CloudObject.php
index 8d2c6b9..3d9f806 100644
--- a/CloudObjects/SDK/CloudObject.php
+++ b/CloudObjects/SDK/CloudObject.php
@@ -39,7 +39,11 @@ class CloudObject {
         return $this;
     }
 
-    private function getReader() : NodeReader {
+    /**
+     * Get the NodeReader used for this CloudObject.
+     * Returns a default NodeReader if non has been set.
+     */
+    protected function getReader() : NodeReader {
         if (!$this->reader) {
             $this->reader = new NodeReader;
         }