diff --git a/src/main/java/org/springframework/samples/petclinic/owner/OwnerController.java b/src/main/java/org/springframework/samples/petclinic/owner/OwnerController.java
index e40320d28..1fc7043c3 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/springframework/samples/petclinic/owner/OwnerController.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/springframework/samples/petclinic/owner/OwnerController.java
@@ -38,9 +38,13 @@ class OwnerController {
 
 	private static final String VIEWS_OWNER_CREATE_OR_UPDATE_FORM = "owners/createOrUpdateOwnerForm";
 
-	@Autowired
 	private OwnerRepository owners;
 
+	@Autowired
+	public void setOwners(OwnerRepository owners) {
+		this.owners = owners;
+	}
+
 	@InitBinder
 	public void setAllowedFields(WebDataBinder dataBinder) {
 		dataBinder.setDisallowedFields("id");