diff --git a/panda/src/char/characterVertexSlider.cxx b/panda/src/char/characterVertexSlider.cxx
index 3671a792a3..f20db50bf1 100644
--- a/panda/src/char/characterVertexSlider.cxx
+++ b/panda/src/char/characterVertexSlider.cxx
@@ -110,6 +110,7 @@ complete_pointers(TypedWritable **p_list, BamReader *manager) {
 
   _char_slider = DCAST(CharacterSlider, p_list[pi++]);    
   _char_slider->_vertex_sliders.insert(this);
+  _name = InternalName::make(_char_slider->get_name());
 
   return pi;
 }
diff --git a/panda/src/gobj/vertexSlider.h b/panda/src/gobj/vertexSlider.h
index df43e7d9b5..8d6fccf13e 100644
--- a/panda/src/gobj/vertexSlider.h
+++ b/panda/src/gobj/vertexSlider.h
@@ -60,9 +60,10 @@ PUBLISHED:
 protected:
   void mark_modified();
 
-private:
+protected:
   CPT(InternalName) _name;
 
+private:
   typedef pset<SliderTable *> Tables;
   Tables _tables;