diff --git a/src/test/java/org/springframework/samples/petclinic/service/EntityUtils.java b/src/test/java/org/springframework/samples/petclinic/service/EntityUtils.java
index 7b7a5e64a..e0fd858f2 100644
--- a/src/test/java/org/springframework/samples/petclinic/service/EntityUtils.java
+++ b/src/test/java/org/springframework/samples/petclinic/service/EntityUtils.java
@@ -32,6 +32,10 @@ import java.util.Collection;
  */
 public abstract class EntityUtils {
 
+    private EntityUtils() {
+        // private constructor to prevent instantiation
+    }
+
 	/**
 	 * Look up the entity of the given class with the given id in the given collection.
 	 * @param entities the collection to search
@@ -50,4 +54,4 @@ public abstract class EntityUtils {
 		throw new ObjectRetrievalFailureException(entityClass, entityId);
 	}
 
-}
+}
\ No newline at end of file