diff --git a/app/src/main/kotlin/com/google/samples/apps/nowinandroid/MainActivity.kt b/app/src/main/kotlin/com/google/samples/apps/nowinandroid/MainActivity.kt
index cffb13f34..599bd0b35 100644
--- a/app/src/main/kotlin/com/google/samples/apps/nowinandroid/MainActivity.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/kotlin/com/google/samples/apps/nowinandroid/MainActivity.kt
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ class MainActivity : ComponentActivity() {
     @Inject
     lateinit var userNewsResourceRepository: UserNewsResourceRepository
 
-    val viewModel: MainActivityViewModel by viewModels()
+    private val viewModel: MainActivityViewModel by viewModels()
 
     override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
         val splashScreen = installSplashScreen()