diff --git a/compiler/cpp/src/thrift/generate/t_php_generator.cc b/compiler/cpp/src/thrift/generate/t_php_generator.cc
index 10dc570..96d5fbe 100644
--- a/compiler/cpp/src/thrift/generate/t_php_generator.cc
+++ b/compiler/cpp/src/thrift/generate/t_php_generator.cc
@@ -939,7 +939,8 @@
       dval = render_const_value((*m_iter)->get_type(), (*m_iter)->get_value());
     }
     generate_php_doc(out, *m_iter);
-    indent(out) << "public $" << (*m_iter)->get_name() << " = " << dval << ";" << endl;
+    string access = (getters_setters_) ? "private" : "public";
+    indent(out) << access << " $" << (*m_iter)->get_name() << " = " << dval << ";" << endl;
   }
 
   out << endl;