diff --git a/aom/src/main/java/com/nedap/archie/rules/Operator.java b/aom/src/main/java/com/nedap/archie/rules/Operator.java
index 6dc7aceef..046f76eef 100644
--- a/aom/src/main/java/com/nedap/archie/rules/Operator.java
+++ b/aom/src/main/java/com/nedap/archie/rules/Operator.java
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ public void setOperands(List<Expression> operands) {
     }
 
     @JsonIgnore
-    protected Expression getFirstOperand() {
+    public Expression getFirstOperand() {
         return operands.size() > 0 ? operands.get(0) : null;
     }
 
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ protected void setFirstOperand(Expression firstOperand) {
     }
 
     @JsonIgnore
-    protected Expression getSecondOperand() {
+    public Expression getSecondOperand() {
         return operands.size() > 1 ? operands.get(1) : null;
     }