diff --git a/phpBB/includes/style/style.php b/phpBB/includes/style/style.php
index 6aec5c6ba4..7d31df9886 100644
--- a/phpBB/includes/style/style.php
+++ b/phpBB/includes/style/style.php
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ class phpbb_style
 		$this->provider->set_styles($paths);
 		$this->locator->set_paths($this->provider);
 
-		$this->template->style_names = $names;
+		$this->template->set_style_names($names);
 
 		if ($template_path !== false)
 		{
diff --git a/phpBB/includes/template/template.php b/phpBB/includes/template/template.php
index 4d257d2510..97e23f34e0 100644
--- a/phpBB/includes/template/template.php
+++ b/phpBB/includes/template/template.php
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ class phpbb_template
 	*
 	* @var array
 	*/
-	public $style_names;
+	private $style_names;
 
 	/**
 	* Constructor.
@@ -123,6 +123,18 @@ class phpbb_template
 		return true;
 	}
 
+	/**
+	* Sets the style names corresponding to style hierarchy being compiled
+	* and/or rendered.
+	*
+	* @param array $style_names List of style names in inheritance tree order
+	* @return null
+	*/
+	public function set_style_names(array $style_names)
+	{
+		$this->style_names = $style_names;
+	}
+
 	/**
 	* Clears all variables and blocks assigned to this template.
 	*/