diff --git a/qubes/__init__.py b/qubes/__init__.py
index 1a805cc6..e8758668 100644
--- a/qubes/__init__.py
+++ b/qubes/__init__.py
@@ -1224,6 +1224,9 @@ class Qubes(PropertyHolder):
 
         self.events_enabled = True
 
+    @__builtin__.property
+    def store(self):
+        return self._store
 
     def load(self):
         '''Open qubes.xml
diff --git a/qubes/backup.py b/qubes/backup.py
index fd9b0c59..9961eb2b 100644
--- a/qubes/backup.py
+++ b/qubes/backup.py
@@ -575,8 +575,7 @@ class Backup(object):
     def backup_do(self):
         if self.passphrase is None:
             raise qubes.exc.QubesException("No passphrase set")
-        # noinspection PyProtectedMember
-        qubes_xml = self.app._store
+        qubes_xml = self.app.store
         self.tmpdir = tempfile.mkdtemp()
         shutil.copy(qubes_xml, os.path.join(self.tmpdir, 'qubes.xml'))
         qubes_xml = os.path.join(self.tmpdir, 'qubes.xml')