diff --git a/experimental/packages/otlp-exporter-base/src/OTLPExporterBase.ts b/experimental/packages/otlp-exporter-base/src/OTLPExporterBase.ts
index 1459cdaba83..5b3e932f397 100644
--- a/experimental/packages/otlp-exporter-base/src/OTLPExporterBase.ts
+++ b/experimental/packages/otlp-exporter-base/src/OTLPExporterBase.ts
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ import { ExportResult } from '@opentelemetry/core';
 import { IOtlpExportDelegate } from './otlp-export-delegate';
 
 export class OTLPExporterBase<Internal> {
-  constructor(private _delegate: IOtlpExportDelegate<Internal>) {}
+  constructor(protected _delegate: IOtlpExportDelegate<Internal>) {}
 
   /**
    * Export items.