diff --git a/router/java/src/net/i2p/router/tunnel/TunnelCreatorConfig.java b/router/java/src/net/i2p/router/tunnel/TunnelCreatorConfig.java
index f8ff4ed4a..f74621762 100644
--- a/router/java/src/net/i2p/router/tunnel/TunnelCreatorConfig.java
+++ b/router/java/src/net/i2p/router/tunnel/TunnelCreatorConfig.java
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ public class TunnelCreatorConfig implements TunnelInfo {
     private final HopConfig _config[];
     /** gateway first */
     private final Hash _peers[];
-    private long _expiration;
+    private volatile long _expiration;
     private List<Integer> _order;
     private long _replyMessageId;
     private final boolean _isInbound;