diff --git a/packages/proto-signing/src/directsecp256k1hdwallet.ts b/packages/proto-signing/src/directsecp256k1hdwallet.ts
index 54595eda..d2dac3cf 100644
--- a/packages/proto-signing/src/directsecp256k1hdwallet.ts
+++ b/packages/proto-signing/src/directsecp256k1hdwallet.ts
@@ -243,7 +243,7 @@ export class DirectSecp256k1HdWallet implements OfflineDirectSigner {
   /** Derivation instructions */
   private readonly accounts: readonly Secp256k1Derivation[];
 
-  public constructor(mnemonic: EnglishMnemonic, options: DirectSecp256k1HdWalletConstructorOptions) {
+  protected constructor(mnemonic: EnglishMnemonic, options: DirectSecp256k1HdWalletConstructorOptions) {
     const prefix = options.prefix ?? defaultOptions.prefix;
     const hdPaths = options.hdPaths ?? defaultOptions.hdPaths;
     this.secret = mnemonic;