diff --git a/tmf/org.eclipse.tracecompass.tmf.core/src/org/eclipse/tracecompass/tmf/core/model/tree/TmfTreeCompositeDataProvider.java b/tmf/org.eclipse.tracecompass.tmf.core/src/org/eclipse/tracecompass/tmf/core/model/tree/TmfTreeCompositeDataProvider.java
index 1bda03877f..0431ba7512 100644
--- a/tmf/org.eclipse.tracecompass.tmf.core/src/org/eclipse/tracecompass/tmf/core/model/tree/TmfTreeCompositeDataProvider.java
+++ b/tmf/org.eclipse.tracecompass.tmf.core/src/org/eclipse/tracecompass/tmf/core/model/tree/TmfTreeCompositeDataProvider.java
@@ -188,8 +188,8 @@ public String getId() {
      *
      * @return the list of encapsulated providers
      */
-    protected List<P> getProviders() {
-        return fProviders;
+    public List<P> getProviders() {
+        return Collections.unmodifiableList(fProviders);
     }
 
     /**