diff --git a/lib/member_builder.js b/lib/member_builder.js
index af63d3b..cfd96f3 100644
--- a/lib/member_builder.js
+++ b/lib/member_builder.js
@@ -47,5 +47,9 @@ exports.buildProp = function( members, meta, name, value, keywords )
     {
         members[ 'protected' ][ name ] = value;
     }
+    else if ( keywords[ 'private' ] )
+    {
+        members[ 'private' ][ name ] = value;
+    }
 };
 
diff --git a/test/test-member_builder-prop.js b/test/test-member_builder-prop.js
index c9a5cc6..c6184f8 100644
--- a/test/test-member_builder-prop.js
+++ b/test/test-member_builder-prop.js
@@ -72,3 +72,17 @@ function buildPropQuick( keywords )
     );
 } )();
 
+
+( function testRecognizesPrivateProperty()
+{
+    var keywords = { 'private': true },
+        result   = buildPropQuick( keywords )
+    ;
+
+    assert.equal(
+        members[ 'private' ][ name ],
+        value,
+        "Private properties are copied to the private member prototype"
+    );
+} )();
+