diff --git a/jme3-core/src/main/java/com/jme3/scene/GeometryGroupNode.java b/jme3-core/src/main/java/com/jme3/scene/GeometryGroupNode.java
index ea94e4b89..2665f768e 100644
--- a/jme3-core/src/main/java/com/jme3/scene/GeometryGroupNode.java
+++ b/jme3-core/src/main/java/com/jme3/scene/GeometryGroupNode.java
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ package com.jme3.scene;
  */
 public abstract class GeometryGroupNode extends Node {
     
-    protected static int getGeometryStartIndex(Geometry geom) {
+    public static int getGeometryStartIndex(Geometry geom) {
         if (geom.startIndex == -1) {
             throw new AssertionError();
         }