diff --git a/system/database/drivers/oci8/oci8_driver.php b/system/database/drivers/oci8/oci8_driver.php
index 8e9ba9e..6842ec6 100644
--- a/system/database/drivers/oci8/oci8_driver.php
+++ b/system/database/drivers/oci8/oci8_driver.php
@@ -345,7 +345,7 @@
 	 *
 	 * @return	void
 	 */
-	private function _bind_params($params)
+	protected function _bind_params($params)
 	{
 		if ( ! is_array($params) OR ! is_resource($this->stmt_id))
 		{