diff --git a/src/api/user/RoleChannel.js b/src/api/user/RoleChannel.js
index 64619b0b6d..486514e630 100644
--- a/src/api/user/RoleChannel.js
+++ b/src/api/user/RoleChannel.js
@@ -1,17 +1,18 @@
 import { BROADCAST_CHANNEL_NAME } from './constants';
 
 class RoleChannel {
+    #roleChannel;
+
     constructor(openmct, channelName = BROADCAST_CHANNEL_NAME) {
         this.openmct = openmct;
         this.channelName = channelName;
-        this.roleChannel = undefined;
     }
 
     createRoleChannel() {
-        this.roleChannel = new BroadcastChannel(this.channelName);
+        this.#roleChannel = new BroadcastChannel(this.channelName);
     }
     subscribeToRole(cb) {
-        this.roleChannel.onmessage = (event => {
+        this.#roleChannel.onmessage = (event => {
             const role = event.data;
             this.openmct.user.setActiveRole(role);
             if (cb) {
@@ -20,21 +21,23 @@ class RoleChannel {
         });
     }
     unsubscribeToRole() {
-        this.roleChannel.close();
+        this.#roleChannel.close();
     }
     reconnect() {
-        this.roleChannel.close();
+        this.#roleChannel.close();
         this.createRoleChannel();
     }
 
     broadcastNewRole(role) {
-        if (!this.roleChannel.name) {
+
+        if (!this.#roleChannel.name) {
             return false;
         }
 
         try {
-            this.roleChannel.postMessage(role);
+            this.#roleChannel.postMessage(role);
         } catch (e) {
+            console.error(e);
             this.reconnect();
             this.broadcastNewRole(role);
             /** FIXME: there doesn't seem to be a reliable way to test for open/closed