diff --git a/lib/core/events/base.event.ts b/lib/core/events/base.event.ts
index 76cbfa55ea..92c879bd97 100644
--- a/lib/core/events/base.event.ts
+++ b/lib/core/events/base.event.ts
@@ -18,8 +18,16 @@
 /** Base cancellable event implementation */
 export class BaseEvent<T> {
 
-    defaultPrevented: boolean = false;
+    private isDefaultPrevented: boolean = false;
 
     value: T;
 
+    get defaultPrevented() {
+        return this.isDefaultPrevented;
+    }
+
+    preventDefault() {
+        this.isDefaultPrevented = true;
+    }
+
 }