diff --git a/include/libcamera/object.h b/include/libcamera/object.h
index 5c251a822d9a..3d08d69a9044 100644
--- a/include/libcamera/object.h
+++ b/include/libcamera/object.h
@@ -26,11 +26,13 @@ public:
 	virtual ~Object();
 
 	void postMessage(std::unique_ptr<Message> msg);
-	virtual void message(Message *msg);
 
 	Thread *thread() const { return thread_; }
 	void moveToThread(Thread *thread);
 
+protected:
+	virtual void message(Message *msg);
+
 private:
 	template<typename... Args>
 	friend class Signal;