diff --git a/Lib/threading.py b/Lib/threading.py
index 767df459287..8d5e8335a67 100644
--- a/Lib/threading.py
+++ b/Lib/threading.py
@@ -506,7 +506,7 @@ class _DummyThread(Thread):
     
     def __init__(self):
         Thread.__init__(self, name=_newname("Dummy-%d"))
-        self.__Thread_started = 1
+        self._Thread__started = 1
         _active_limbo_lock.acquire()
         _active[_get_ident()] = self
         _active_limbo_lock.release()