diff --git a/basis/delegate/delegate.factor b/basis/delegate/delegate.factor
index cdd58afc9e..f37a562444 100644
--- a/basis/delegate/delegate.factor
+++ b/basis/delegate/delegate.factor
@@ -76,9 +76,6 @@ M: broadcast (consult-method-quot)
     [ swap consult-method-quot ] 2bi
     define ;
 
-: change-word-prop ( word prop quot -- )
-    [ swap props>> ] dip change-at ; inline
-
 : each-generic ( consultation quot -- )
     [ [ group>> group-words ] keep ] dip curry each ; inline
 
diff --git a/core/words/words.factor b/core/words/words.factor
index 2a4c2c4c06..e6ed220bc5 100644
--- a/core/words/words.factor
+++ b/core/words/words.factor
@@ -30,6 +30,9 @@ M: word definition def>> ;
     [ pick props>> ?set-at >>props drop ]
     [ nip remove-word-prop ] if ;
 
+: change-word-prop ( word prop quot -- )
+    [ swap props>> ] dip change-at ; inline
+
 : reset-props ( word seq -- ) [ remove-word-prop ] with each ;
 
 <PRIVATE