diff --git a/source/java/org/alfresco/util/ApplicationContextHelper.java b/source/java/org/alfresco/util/ApplicationContextHelper.java
index 2c2d3b35ce..d188384ae2 100644
--- a/source/java/org/alfresco/util/ApplicationContextHelper.java
+++ b/source/java/org/alfresco/util/ApplicationContextHelper.java
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ public class ApplicationContextHelper
      * Closes and releases the application context.  On the next call to
      * {@link #getApplicationContext()}, a new context will be given.
      */
-    public synchronized void closeApplicationContext()
+    public static synchronized void closeApplicationContext()
     {
         if (instance == null)
         {