diff --git a/spring-core/src/main/java/org/springframework/core/annotation/AnnotationUtils.java b/spring-core/src/main/java/org/springframework/core/annotation/AnnotationUtils.java
index 26ac630d24..ea3facd7c9 100644
--- a/spring-core/src/main/java/org/springframework/core/annotation/AnnotationUtils.java
+++ b/spring-core/src/main/java/org/springframework/core/annotation/AnnotationUtils.java
@@ -126,6 +126,9 @@ public abstract class AnnotationUtils {
 	private static final Map<Class<?>, Set<Method>> annotatedBaseTypeCache =
 			new ConcurrentReferenceHashMap<>(256);
 
+	@Deprecated  // just here for older tool versions trying to reflectively clear the cache
+	private static final Map<Class<?>, ?> annotatedInterfaceCache = annotatedBaseTypeCache;
+
 	private static final Map<Class<? extends Annotation>, Boolean> synthesizableCache =
 			new ConcurrentReferenceHashMap<>(256);