diff --git a/freqtrade/rpc/rpc.py b/freqtrade/rpc/rpc.py
index 10bbc854a..34802f920 100644
--- a/freqtrade/rpc/rpc.py
+++ b/freqtrade/rpc/rpc.py
@@ -304,9 +304,9 @@ class RPC(object):
 
         return '*Status:* `already stopped`'
 
-    def rpc_reload_conf(self) -> str:
+    def _rpc_reload_conf(self) -> str:
         """ Handler for reload_conf. """
-        self.freqtrade.state = State.RELOAD_CONF
+        self._freqtrade.state = State.RELOAD_CONF
         return '*Status:* `Reloading config ...`'
 
     # FIX: no test for this!!!!
diff --git a/freqtrade/rpc/telegram.py b/freqtrade/rpc/telegram.py
index e9091eb2b..4dd23971b 100644
--- a/freqtrade/rpc/telegram.py
+++ b/freqtrade/rpc/telegram.py
@@ -289,8 +289,8 @@ class Telegram(RPC):
         :param update: message update
         :return: None
         """
-        msg = self.rpc_reload_conf()
-        self.send_msg(msg, bot=bot)
+        msg = self._rpc_reload_conf()
+        self._send_msg(msg, bot=bot)
 
     @authorized_only
     def _forcesell(self, bot: Bot, update: Update) -> None:
diff --git a/freqtrade/tests/rpc/test_rpc_telegram.py b/freqtrade/tests/rpc/test_rpc_telegram.py
index 68afa7587..f022c09e4 100644
--- a/freqtrade/tests/rpc/test_rpc_telegram.py
+++ b/freqtrade/tests/rpc/test_rpc_telegram.py
@@ -706,7 +706,7 @@ def test_reload_conf_handle(default_conf, update, mocker) -> None:
     mocker.patch.multiple(
         'freqtrade.rpc.telegram.Telegram',
         _init=MagicMock(),
-        send_msg=msg_mock
+        _send_msg=msg_mock
     )
     mocker.patch('freqtrade.freqtradebot.RPCManager', MagicMock())