diff --git a/classes.py b/classes.py
index 75f7c4b..b83ea26 100644
--- a/classes.py
+++ b/classes.py
@@ -130,11 +130,16 @@ class PyLinkNetworkCore(utils.DeprecatedAttributesObject, utils.CamelCaseToSnake
         self.called_in = None
 
         # Intialize the server, channel, and user indexes to be populated by
-        # our protocol module. For the server index, we can add ourselves right
-        # now.
+        # our protocol module.
         self.servers = {}
         self.users = {}
-        self.channels = ChannelState(self)
+
+        # Two versions of the channels index exist in PyLink 2.0, and they are joined together
+        # - irc._channels which implicitly creates channels on access (mostly used
+        #   in protocol modules)
+        # - irc.channels which does not (recommended for use by plugins)
+        self._channels = ChannelState(self)
+        self.channels = structures.IRCCaseInsensitiveDict(self, data=self._channels._data)
 
         # This sets the list of supported channel and user modes: the default
         # RFC1459 modes are implied. Named modes are used here to make
@@ -531,7 +536,7 @@ class PyLinkNetworkCoreWithUtils(PyLinkNetworkCore):
             log.debug('(%s) Using self.cmodes for this query: %s', self.name, self.cmodes)
 
             supported_modes = self.cmodes
-            oldmodes = self.channels[target].modes
+            oldmodes = self._channels[target].modes
         res = []
         for mode in modestring:
             if mode in '+-':
@@ -601,7 +606,7 @@ class PyLinkNetworkCoreWithUtils(PyLinkNetworkCore):
                 old_modelist = self.users[target].modes
                 supported_modes = self.umodes
             else:
-                old_modelist = self.channels[target].modes
+                old_modelist = self._channels[target].modes
                 supported_modes = self.cmodes
         except KeyError:
             log.warning('(%s) Possible desync? Mode target %s is unknown.', self.name, target)
@@ -621,7 +626,7 @@ class PyLinkNetworkCoreWithUtils(PyLinkNetworkCore):
                 # if the IRCd supports this mode and it is the one being set, add/remove
                 # the person from the corresponding prefix mode list (e.g. c.prefixmodes['op']
                 # for ops).
-                for pmode, pmodelist in self.channels[target].prefixmodes.items():
+                for pmode, pmodelist in self._channels[target].prefixmodes.items():
                     if pmode in self.cmodes and real_mode[0] == self.cmodes[pmode]:
                         log.debug('(%s) Initial prefixmodes list: %s', self.name, pmodelist)
                         if mode[0][0] == '+':
@@ -668,7 +673,7 @@ class PyLinkNetworkCoreWithUtils(PyLinkNetworkCore):
             if usermodes:
                 self.users[target].modes = modelist
             else:
-                self.channels[target].modes = modelist
+                self._channels[target].modes = modelist
         except KeyError:
             log.warning("(%s) Invalid MODE target %s (usermodes=%s)", self.name, target, usermodes)
 
@@ -706,7 +711,7 @@ class PyLinkNetworkCoreWithUtils(PyLinkNetworkCore):
             modes = self.parse_modes(target, modes.split(" "))
         # Get the current mode list first.
         if utils.isChannel(target):
-            c = oldobj or self.channels[target]
+            c = oldobj or self._channels[target]
             oldmodes = c.modes.copy()
             possible_modes = self.cmodes.copy()
             # For channels, this also includes the list of prefix modes.
@@ -1116,8 +1121,8 @@ class PyLinkNetworkCoreWithUtils(PyLinkNetworkCore):
         def _clear():
             log.debug("(%s) Clearing local modes from channel %s due to TS change", self.name,
                       channel)
-            self.channels[channel].modes.clear()
-            for p in self.channels[channel].prefixmodes.values():
+            self._channels[channel].modes.clear()
+            for p in self._channels[channel].prefixmodes.values():
                 for user in p.copy():
                     if not self.is_internal_client(user):
                         p.discard(user)
@@ -1131,7 +1136,7 @@ class PyLinkNetworkCoreWithUtils(PyLinkNetworkCore):
         # Use a lock so only one thread can change a channel's TS at once: this prevents race
         # conditions that would otherwise desync channel modes.
         with self._ts_lock:
-            our_ts = self.channels[channel].ts
+            our_ts = self._channels[channel].ts
             assert isinstance(our_ts, int), "Wrong type for our_ts (expected int, got %s)" % type(our_ts)
             assert isinstance(their_ts, int), "Wrong type for their_ts (expected int, got %s)" % type(their_ts)
 
@@ -1153,7 +1158,7 @@ class PyLinkNetworkCoreWithUtils(PyLinkNetworkCore):
                 else:
                     log.debug('(%s) Resetting channel TS of %s from %s to %s (remote has lower TS)',
                               self.name, channel, our_ts, their_ts)
-                    self.channels[channel].ts = their_ts
+                    self._channels[channel].ts = their_ts
 
                 # Remote TS was lower and we're receiving modes. Clear the modelist and apply theirs.
 
diff --git a/protocols/clientbot.py b/protocols/clientbot.py
index 6e9d85b..9b6fb27 100644
--- a/protocols/clientbot.py
+++ b/protocols/clientbot.py
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ class ClientbotWrapperProtocol(IRCCommonProtocol):
         if self.pseudoclient and client == self.pseudoclient.uid:
             self.send('JOIN %s' % channel)
         else:
-            self.channels[channel].users.add(client)
+            self._channels[channel].users.add(client)
             self.users[client].channels.add(channel)
 
             log.debug('(%s) join: faking JOIN of client %s/%s to %s', self.name, client,
@@ -272,7 +272,7 @@ class ClientbotWrapperProtocol(IRCCommonProtocol):
 
     def part(self, source, channel, reason=''):
         """STUB: Parts a user from a channel."""
-        self.channels[channel].remove_user(source)
+        self._channels[channel].remove_user(source)
         self.users[source].channels.discard(channel)
 
         # Only parts for the main PyLink client are actually forwarded. Others are ignored.
@@ -300,7 +300,7 @@ class ClientbotWrapperProtocol(IRCCommonProtocol):
                 # Otherwise, track the state for our virtual clients.
                 self.users[user].channels.add(channel)
 
-        self.channels[channel].users |= puids
+        self._channels[channel].users |= puids
         nicks = {self.get_friendly_name(u) for u in puids}
         self.call_hooks([server, 'CLIENTBOT_SJOIN', {'channel': channel, 'nicks': nicks}])
 
@@ -671,7 +671,7 @@ class ClientbotWrapperProtocol(IRCCommonProtocol):
 
             # Queue these virtual users to be joined if they're not already in the channel,
             # or we're waiting for a kick acknowledgment for them.
-            if (idsource not in self.channels[channel].users) or (idsource in \
+            if (idsource not in self._channels[channel].users) or (idsource in \
                     self.kick_queue.get(channel, ([],))[0]):
                 names.add(idsource)
             self.users[idsource].channels.add(channel)
@@ -686,7 +686,7 @@ class ClientbotWrapperProtocol(IRCCommonProtocol):
                     break
 
         # Statekeeping: make sure the channel's user list is updated!
-        self.channels[channel].users |= names
+        self._channels[channel].users |= names
         self.apply_modes(channel, modes)
 
         log.debug('(%s) handle_353: adding users %s to %s', self.name, names, channel)
@@ -698,7 +698,7 @@ class ClientbotWrapperProtocol(IRCCommonProtocol):
         fully_synced_names = [uid for uid in names if hasattr(self.users[uid], '_clientbot_identhost_received')]
         if fully_synced_names:
             log.debug('(%s) handle_353: sending pre-WHO JOIN hook for %s: %s', self.name, channel, fully_synced_names)
-            return {'channel': channel, 'users': fully_synced_names, 'modes': self.channels[channel].modes,
+            return {'channel': channel, 'users': fully_synced_names, 'modes': self._channels[channel].modes,
                     'parse_as': "JOIN"}
 
     def _check_puid_collision(self, nick):
@@ -796,7 +796,7 @@ class ClientbotWrapperProtocol(IRCCommonProtocol):
         self.who_received.clear()
 
         channel = args[1]
-        c = self.channels[channel]
+        c = self._channels[channel]
 
         modes = set(c.modes)
         for user in users.copy():
@@ -848,7 +848,7 @@ class ClientbotWrapperProtocol(IRCCommonProtocol):
         # With extended-join:
         # <- :GL|!~GL@127.0.0.1 JOIN #whatever accountname :realname
         channel = args[0]
-        self.channels[channel].users.add(source)
+        self._channels[channel].users.add(source)
         self.users[source].channels.add(channel)
 
         if len(args) >= 3:
@@ -864,7 +864,7 @@ class ClientbotWrapperProtocol(IRCCommonProtocol):
             self._send_who(channel)
         else:
             self.call_hooks([source, 'CLIENTBOT_JOIN', {'channel': channel}])
-            return {'channel': channel, 'users': [source], 'modes': self.channels[channel].modes}
+            return {'channel': channel, 'users': [source], 'modes': self._channels[channel].modes}
 
     def handle_kick(self, source, command, args):
         """
@@ -891,7 +891,7 @@ class ClientbotWrapperProtocol(IRCCommonProtocol):
                 del self.kick_queue[channel]
 
         # Statekeeping: remove the target from the channel they were previously in.
-        self.channels[channel].remove_user(target)
+        self._channels[channel].remove_user(target)
         try:
             self.users[target].channels.remove(channel)
         except KeyError:
@@ -903,7 +903,7 @@ class ClientbotWrapperProtocol(IRCCommonProtocol):
 
         # Delete channels that we were kicked from, for better state keeping.
         if self.pseudoclient and target == self.pseudoclient.uid:
-            del self.channels[channel]
+            del self._channels[channel]
 
     def handle_mode(self, source, command, args):
         """Handles MODE changes."""
@@ -911,7 +911,7 @@ class ClientbotWrapperProtocol(IRCCommonProtocol):
         # <- :ice MODE ice :+Zi
         target = args[0]
         if utils.isChannel(target):
-            oldobj = self.channels[target].deepcopy()
+            oldobj = self._channels[target].deepcopy()
         else:
             target = self.nick_to_uid(target)
             oldobj = None
@@ -944,7 +944,7 @@ class ClientbotWrapperProtocol(IRCCommonProtocol):
         """Handles TS announcements via RPL_CREATIONTIME."""
         channel = args[1]
         ts = int(args[2])
-        self.channels[channel].ts = ts
+        self._channels[channel].ts = ts
 
     def handle_chghost(self, source, command, args):
         """Handles the IRCv3 CHGHOST command."""
@@ -995,15 +995,15 @@ class ClientbotWrapperProtocol(IRCCommonProtocol):
             reason = ''
 
         for channel in channels:
-            self.channels[channel].remove_user(source)
+            self._channels[channel].remove_user(source)
         self.users[source].channels -= set(channels)
 
         self.call_hooks([source, 'PART', {'channels': channels, 'text': reason}])
 
         # Clear channels that are empty, or that we're parting.
         for channel in channels:
-            if (self.pseudoclient and source == self.pseudoclient.uid) or not self.channels[channel].users:
-                del self.channels[channel]
+            if (self.pseudoclient and source == self.pseudoclient.uid) or not self._channels[channel].users:
+                del self._channels[channel]
 
     def handle_ping(self, source, command, args):
         """
diff --git a/protocols/hybrid.py b/protocols/hybrid.py
index 70db96d..fda5fb0 100644
--- a/protocols/hybrid.py
+++ b/protocols/hybrid.py
@@ -162,12 +162,12 @@ class HybridProtocol(TS6Protocol):
         if not self.is_internal_server(numeric):
             raise LookupError('No such PyLink server exists.')
 
-        ts = self.channels[target].ts
+        ts = self._channels[target].ts
         servername = self.servers[numeric].name
 
         self._send_with_prefix(numeric, 'TBURST %s %s %s %s :%s' % (ts, target, int(time.time()), servername, text))
-        self.channels[target].topic = text
-        self.channels[target].topicset = True
+        self._channels[target].topic = text
+        self._channels[target].topicset = True
 
     # command handlers
 
@@ -221,8 +221,8 @@ class HybridProtocol(TS6Protocol):
         ts = args[2]
         setter = args[3]
         topic = args[-1]
-        self.channels[channel].topic = topic
-        self.channels[channel].topicset = True
+        self._channels[channel].topic = topic
+        self._channels[channel].topicset = True
         return {'channel': channel, 'setter': setter, 'ts': ts, 'text': topic}
 
     def handle_eob(self, numeric, command, args):
diff --git a/protocols/inspircd.py b/protocols/inspircd.py
index 0bdd54a..6b845c9 100644
--- a/protocols/inspircd.py
+++ b/protocols/inspircd.py
@@ -83,11 +83,11 @@ class InspIRCdProtocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
             raise LookupError('No such PyLink client exists.')
 
         # Strip out list-modes, they shouldn't be ever sent in FJOIN.
-        modes = [m for m in self.channels[channel].modes if m[0] not in self.cmodes['*A']]
+        modes = [m for m in self._channels[channel].modes if m[0] not in self.cmodes['*A']]
         self._send_with_prefix(server, "FJOIN {channel} {ts} {modes} :,{uid}".format(
-                ts=self.channels[channel].ts, uid=client, channel=channel,
+                ts=self._channels[channel].ts, uid=client, channel=channel,
                 modes=self.join_modes(modes)))
-        self.channels[channel].users.add(client)
+        self._channels[channel].users.add(client)
         self.users[client].channels.add(channel)
 
     def sjoin(self, server, channel, users, ts=None, modes=set()):
@@ -109,8 +109,8 @@ class InspIRCdProtocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
             raise LookupError('No such PyLink client exists.')
 
         # Strip out list-modes, they shouldn't ever be sent in FJOIN (protocol rules).
-        modes = modes or self.channels[channel].modes
-        orig_ts = self.channels[channel].ts
+        modes = modes or self._channels[channel].modes
+        orig_ts = self._channels[channel].ts
         ts = ts or orig_ts
 
         banmodes = []
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ class InspIRCdProtocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
             if modechar in self.cmodes['*A']:
                 # Track bans separately (they are sent as a normal FMODE instead of in FJOIN.
                 # However, don't reset bans that have already been set.
-                if (modechar, mode[1]) not in self.channels[channel].modes:
+                if (modechar, mode[1]) not in self._channels[channel].modes:
                     banmodes.append(mode)
             else:
                 regularmodes.append(mode)
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ class InspIRCdProtocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
         self._send_with_prefix(server, "FJOIN {channel} {ts} {modes} :{users}".format(
                 ts=ts, users=namelist, channel=channel,
                 modes=self.join_modes(modes)))
-        self.channels[channel].users.update(uids)
+        self._channels[channel].users.update(uids)
 
         if banmodes:
             # Burst ban modes if there are any.
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ class InspIRCdProtocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
         self.apply_modes(target, modes)
         joinedmodes = self.join_modes(modes)
         if utils.isChannel(target):
-            ts = ts or self.channels[target].ts
+            ts = ts or self._channels[target].ts
             self._send_with_prefix(numeric, 'FMODE %s %s %s' % (target, ts, joinedmodes))
         else:
             self._send_with_prefix(numeric, 'MODE %s %s' % (target, joinedmodes))
@@ -241,8 +241,8 @@ class InspIRCdProtocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
         ts = int(time.time())
         servername = self.servers[numeric].name
         self._send_with_prefix(numeric, 'FTOPIC %s %s %s :%s' % (target, ts, servername, text))
-        self.channels[target].topic = text
-        self.channels[target].topicset = True
+        self._channels[target].topic = text
+        self._channels[target].topicset = True
 
     def knock(self, numeric, target, text):
         """Sends a KNOCK from a PyLink client."""
@@ -539,7 +539,7 @@ class InspIRCdProtocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
         """Handles incoming FJOIN commands (InspIRCd equivalent of JOIN/SJOIN)."""
         # :70M FJOIN #chat 1423790411 +AFPfjnt 6:5 7:5 9:5 :o,1SRAABIT4 v,1IOAAF53R <...>
         channel = args[0]
-        chandata = self.channels[channel].deepcopy()
+        chandata = self._channels[channel].deepcopy()
         # InspIRCd sends each channel's users in the form of 'modeprefix(es),UID'
         userlist = args[-1].split()
 
@@ -565,7 +565,7 @@ class InspIRCdProtocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
             # Only save mode changes if the remote has lower TS than us.
             changedmodes |= {('+%s' % mode, user) for mode in modeprefix}
 
-            self.channels[channel].users.add(user)
+            self._channels[channel].users.add(user)
 
         # Statekeeping with timestamps. Note: some service packages (Anope 1.8) send a trailing
         # 'd' after the timestamp, which we should strip out to prevent int() from erroring.
@@ -574,7 +574,7 @@ class InspIRCdProtocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
         # <- :3AX FJOIN #monitor 1485462109d + :,3AXAAAAAK
         their_ts = int(''.join(char for char in args[1] if char.isdigit()))
 
-        our_ts = self.channels[channel].ts
+        our_ts = self._channels[channel].ts
         self.updateTS(servernumeric, channel, their_ts, changedmodes)
 
         return {'channel': channel, 'users': namelist, 'modes': parsedmodes, 'ts': their_ts,
@@ -627,7 +627,7 @@ class InspIRCdProtocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
         """Handles the FMODE command, used for channel mode changes."""
         # <- :70MAAAAAA FMODE #chat 1433653462 +hhT 70MAAAAAA 70MAAAAAD
         channel = args[0]
-        oldobj = self.channels[channel].deepcopy()
+        oldobj = self._channels[channel].deepcopy()
         modes = args[2:]
         changedmodes = self.parse_modes(channel, modes)
         self.apply_modes(channel, changedmodes)
@@ -661,8 +661,8 @@ class InspIRCdProtocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
         ts = args[1]
         setter = args[2]
         topic = args[-1]
-        self.channels[channel].topic = topic
-        self.channels[channel].topicset = True
+        self._channels[channel].topic = topic
+        self._channels[channel].topicset = True
         return {'channel': channel, 'setter': setter, 'ts': ts, 'text': topic}
 
     # SVSTOPIC is used by InspIRCd module m_topiclock - its arguments are the same as FTOPIC
diff --git a/protocols/ircs2s_common.py b/protocols/ircs2s_common.py
index 277d8bb..10a0b14 100644
--- a/protocols/ircs2s_common.py
+++ b/protocols/ircs2s_common.py
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ class IRCCommonProtocol(IRCNetwork):
 
         # Prevent RuntimeError: dictionary changed size during iteration
         old_servers = self.servers.copy()
-        old_channels = self.channels.copy()
+        old_channels = self._channels.copy()
 
         # Cycle through our list of servers. If any server's uplink is the one that is being SQUIT,
         # remove them and all their users too.
@@ -468,8 +468,8 @@ class IRCS2SProtocol(IRCCommonProtocol):
             raise LookupError('No such PyLink client/server exists.')
 
         self._send_with_prefix(source, 'TOPIC %s :%s' % (target, text))
-        self.channels[target].topic = text
-        self.channels[target].topicset = True
+        self._channels[target].topic = text
+        self._channels[target].topicset = True
     topic_burst = topic
 
     def handle_invite(self, numeric, command, args):
@@ -590,7 +590,7 @@ class IRCS2SProtocol(IRCCommonProtocol):
         # <- ABAAA OM #test +h ABAAA
         target = self._get_UID(args[0])
         if utils.isChannel(target):
-            channeldata = self.channels[target].deepcopy()
+            channeldata = self._channels[target].deepcopy()
         else:
             channeldata = None
 
@@ -611,11 +611,11 @@ class IRCS2SProtocol(IRCCommonProtocol):
         channels = args[0].split(',')
 
         for channel in channels.copy():
-            if channel not in self.channels or source not in self.channels[channel].users:
+            if channel not in self._channels or source not in self._channels[channel].users:
                 # Ignore channels the user isn't on, and remove them from any hook payloads.
                 channels.remove(channel)
 
-            self.channels[channel].remove_user(source)
+            self._channels[channel].remove_user(source)
             try:
                 self.users[source].channels.discard(channel)
             except KeyError:
@@ -627,8 +627,8 @@ class IRCS2SProtocol(IRCCommonProtocol):
                 reason = ''
 
             # Clear empty non-permanent channels.
-            if not (self.channels[channel].users or ((self.cmodes.get('permanent'), None) in self.channels[channel].modes)):
-                del self.channels[channel]
+            if not (self._channels[channel].users or ((self.cmodes.get('permanent'), None) in self._channels[channel].modes)):
+                del self._channels[channel]
 
         if channels:
             return {'channels': channels, 'text': reason}
@@ -685,9 +685,9 @@ class IRCS2SProtocol(IRCCommonProtocol):
         channel = args[0]
         topic = args[1]
 
-        oldtopic = self.channels[channel].topic
-        self.channels[channel].topic = topic
-        self.channels[channel].topicset = True
+        oldtopic = self._channels[channel].topic
+        self._channels[channel].topic = topic
+        self._channels[channel].topicset = True
 
         return {'channel': channel, 'setter': numeric, 'text': topic,
                 'oldtopic': oldtopic}
diff --git a/protocols/ngircd.py b/protocols/ngircd.py
index d5173ef..ef2a44a 100644
--- a/protocols/ngircd.py
+++ b/protocols/ngircd.py
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ class NgIRCdProtocol(IRCS2SProtocol):
             raise LookupError('No such PyLink client exists.')
 
         self._send_with_prefix(client, "JOIN %s" % channel)
-        self.channels[channel].users.add(client)
+        self._channels[channel].users.add(client)
         self.users[client].channels.add(channel)
 
     def kill(self, source, target, reason):
@@ -241,7 +241,7 @@ class NgIRCdProtocol(IRCS2SProtocol):
         # Add the affected users to our state.
         for userpair in users:
             uid = userpair[1]
-            self.channels[channel].users.add(uid)
+            self._channels[channel].users.add(uid)
             try:
                 self.users[uid].channels.add(channel)
             except KeyError:  # Not initialized yet?
@@ -337,8 +337,8 @@ class NgIRCdProtocol(IRCS2SProtocol):
             topic = args[-1]
             if topic:
                 log.debug('(%s) handle_chaninfo: setting topic for %s to %r', self.name, channel, topic)
-                self.channels[channel].topic = topic
-                self.channels[channel].topicset = True
+                self._channels[channel].topic = topic
+                self._channels[channel].topicset = True
 
         if len(args) >= 5:
             key = args[2]
@@ -364,10 +364,10 @@ class NgIRCdProtocol(IRCS2SProtocol):
             except ValueError:
                 channel = chanpair
 
-            c = self.channels[channel]
+            c = self._channels[channel]
 
             self.users[source].channels.add(channel)
-            self.channels[channel].users.add(source)
+            self._channels[channel].users.add(source)
 
             # Call hooks manually, because one JOIN command have multiple channels.
             self.call_hooks([source, command, {'channel': channel, 'users': [source], 'modes': c.modes}])
@@ -469,7 +469,7 @@ class NgIRCdProtocol(IRCS2SProtocol):
         # <- :ngircd.midnight.local NJOIN #test :tester,@%GL
 
         channel = args[0]
-        chandata = self.channels[channel].deepcopy()
+        chandata = self._channels[channel].deepcopy()
         namelist = []
 
         # Reverse the modechar->modeprefix mapping for quicker lookup
@@ -487,7 +487,7 @@ class NgIRCdProtocol(IRCS2SProtocol):
 
             # Final bits of state tracking. (I hate having to do this everywhere...)
             self.users[user].channels.add(channel)
-            self.channels[channel].users.add(user)
+            self._channels[channel].users.add(user)
 
         return {'channel': channel, 'users': namelist, 'modes': [], 'channeldata': chandata}
 
diff --git a/protocols/p10.py b/protocols/p10.py
index 519b0ea..8ded65f 100644
--- a/protocols/p10.py
+++ b/protocols/p10.py
@@ -322,23 +322,23 @@ class P10Protocol(IRCS2SProtocol):
 
         nick = self.users[target].nick
 
-        self._send_with_prefix(numeric, 'I %s %s %s' % (nick, channel, self.channels[channel].ts))
+        self._send_with_prefix(numeric, 'I %s %s %s' % (nick, channel, self._channels[channel].ts))
 
     def join(self, client, channel):
         """Joins a PyLink client to a channel."""
         # <- ABAAB J #test3 1460744371
-        ts = self.channels[channel].ts
+        ts = self._channels[channel].ts
 
         if not self.is_internal_client(client):
             raise LookupError('No such PyLink client exists.')
 
-        if not self.channels[channel].users:
+        if not self._channels[channel].users:
             # Empty channels should be created with the CREATE command.
             self._send_with_prefix(client, "C {channel} {ts}".format(ts=ts, channel=channel))
         else:
             self._send_with_prefix(client, "J {channel} {ts}".format(ts=ts, channel=channel))
 
-        self.channels[channel].users.add(client)
+        self._channels[channel].users.add(client)
         self.users[client].channels.add(channel)
 
     def kick(self, numeric, channel, target, reason=None):
@@ -351,7 +351,7 @@ class P10Protocol(IRCS2SProtocol):
         if not reason:
             reason = 'No reason given'
 
-        cobj = self.channels[channel]
+        cobj = self._channels[channel]
         # Prevent kick bounces by sending our kick through the server if
         # the sender isn't op.
         if numeric not in self.servers and (not cobj.is_halfop_plus(numeric)):
@@ -409,7 +409,7 @@ class P10Protocol(IRCS2SProtocol):
         is_cmode = utils.isChannel(target)
         if is_cmode:
             # Channel mode changes have a trailing TS. User mode changes do not.
-            cobj = self.channels[target]
+            cobj = self._channels[target]
             ts = ts or cobj.ts
 
             # Prevent mode bounces by sending our mode through the server if
@@ -530,8 +530,8 @@ class P10Protocol(IRCS2SProtocol):
         # <- AB B #test 1460742014 +tnl 10 ABAAB,ABAAA:o :%*!*@other.bad.host *!*@bad.host
         # <- AB B #test2 1460743539 +l 10 ABAAA:vo :%*!*@bad.host
         # <- AB B #test 1460747615 ABAAA:o :% ~ *!*@test.host
-        modes = modes or self.channels[channel].modes
-        orig_ts = self.channels[channel].ts
+        modes = modes or self._channels[channel].modes
+        orig_ts = self._channels[channel].ts
         ts = ts or orig_ts
 
         bans = []
@@ -541,7 +541,7 @@ class P10Protocol(IRCS2SProtocol):
             modechar = mode[0][-1]
             # Store bans and exempts in separate lists for processing, but don't reset bans that have already been set.
             if modechar in self.cmodes['*A']:
-                if (modechar, mode[1]) not in self.channels[channel].modes:
+                if (modechar, mode[1]) not in self._channels[channel].modes:
                     if modechar == 'b':
                         bans.append(mode[1])
                     elif modechar == 'e':
@@ -624,7 +624,7 @@ class P10Protocol(IRCS2SProtocol):
 
                     self.send(wrapped_msg)
 
-        self.channels[channel].users.update(changedusers)
+        self._channels[channel].users.update(changedusers)
 
         # Technically we can send bans together with the above user introductions, but
         # it's easier to line wrap them separately.
@@ -699,12 +699,12 @@ class P10Protocol(IRCS2SProtocol):
             # For servers, just show the server name.
             sendername = self.get_friendly_name(source)
 
-        creationts = self.channels[target].ts
+        creationts = self._channels[target].ts
 
         self._send_with_prefix(source, 'T %s %s %s %s :%s' % (target, sendername, creationts,
                    int(time.time()), text))
-        self.channels[target].topic = text
-        self.channels[target].topicset = True
+        self._channels[target].topic = text
+        self._channels[target].topicset = True
     topic_burst = topic
 
     def update_client(self, target, field, text):
@@ -1004,7 +1004,7 @@ class P10Protocol(IRCS2SProtocol):
             return
 
         channel = args[0]
-        chandata = self.channels[channel].deepcopy()
+        chandata = self._channels[channel].deepcopy()
 
         bans = []
         if args[-1].startswith('%'):
@@ -1068,11 +1068,11 @@ class P10Protocol(IRCS2SProtocol):
                 # Only save mode changes if the remote has lower TS than us.
                 changedmodes |= {('+%s' % mode, user) for mode in prefixes}
 
-                self.channels[channel].users.add(user)
+                self._channels[channel].users.add(user)
 
         # Statekeeping with timestamps
         their_ts = int(args[1])
-        our_ts = self.channels[channel].ts
+        our_ts = self._channels[channel].ts
         self.updateTS(source, channel, their_ts, changedmodes)
 
         return {'channel': channel, 'users': namelist, 'modes': parsedmodes, 'ts': their_ts,
@@ -1096,7 +1096,7 @@ class P10Protocol(IRCS2SProtocol):
                       self.name, source, oldchans)
 
             for channel in oldchans:
-                self.channels[channel].users.discard(source)
+                self._channels[channel].users.discard(source)
                 self.users[source].channels.discard(channel)
 
             return {'channels': oldchans, 'text': 'Left all channels.', 'parse_as': 'PART'}
@@ -1106,10 +1106,10 @@ class P10Protocol(IRCS2SProtocol):
                 self.updateTS(source, channel, ts)
 
             self.users[source].channels.add(channel)
-            self.channels[channel].users.add(source)
+            self._channels[channel].users.add(source)
 
         return {'channel': channel, 'users': [source], 'modes':
-                self.channels[channel].modes, 'ts': ts or int(time.time())}
+                self._channels[channel].modes, 'ts': ts or int(time.time())}
 
     handle_create = handle_join
     def handle_end_of_burst(self, source, command, args):
@@ -1140,9 +1140,9 @@ class P10Protocol(IRCS2SProtocol):
         channel = args[0]
         topic = args[-1]
 
-        oldtopic = self.channels[channel].topic
-        self.channels[channel].topic = topic
-        self.channels[channel].topicset = True
+        oldtopic = self._channels[channel].topic
+        self._channels[channel].topic = topic
+        self._channels[channel].topicset = True
 
         return {'channel': channel, 'setter': args[1], 'text': topic,
                 'oldtopic': oldtopic}
@@ -1154,14 +1154,14 @@ class P10Protocol(IRCS2SProtocol):
         modes = args[1]
 
         # Enumerate a list of our existing modes, including prefix modes.
-        existing = list(self.channels[channel].modes)
-        for pmode, userlist in self.channels[channel].prefixmodes.items():
+        existing = list(self._channels[channel].modes)
+        for pmode, userlist in self._channels[channel].prefixmodes.items():
             # Expand the prefix modes lists to individual ('o', 'UID') mode pairs.
             modechar = self.cmodes.get(pmode)
             existing += [(modechar, user) for user in userlist]
 
         # Back up the channel state.
-        oldobj = self.channels[channel].deepcopy()
+        oldobj = self._channels[channel].deepcopy()
 
         changedmodes = []
 
diff --git a/protocols/ts6.py b/protocols/ts6.py
index 585dcd5..8e5a9db 100644
--- a/protocols/ts6.py
+++ b/protocols/ts6.py
@@ -76,8 +76,8 @@ class TS6Protocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
         if not self.is_internal_client(client):
             log.error('(%s) Error trying to join %r to %r (no such client exists)', self.name, client, channel)
             raise LookupError('No such PyLink client exists.')
-        self._send_with_prefix(client, "JOIN {ts} {channel} +".format(ts=self.channels[channel].ts, channel=channel))
-        self.channels[channel].users.add(client)
+        self._send_with_prefix(client, "JOIN {ts} {channel} +".format(ts=self._channels[channel].ts, channel=channel))
+        self._channels[channel].users.add(client)
         self.users[client].channels.add(channel)
 
     def sjoin(self, server, channel, users, ts=None, modes=set()):
@@ -106,8 +106,8 @@ class TS6Protocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
         if not server:
             raise LookupError('No such PyLink client exists.')
 
-        modes = set(modes or self.channels[channel].modes)
-        orig_ts = self.channels[channel].ts
+        modes = set(modes or self._channels[channel].modes)
+        orig_ts = self._channels[channel].ts
         ts = ts or orig_ts
 
         # Get all the ban modes in a separate list. These are bursted using a separate BMASK
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ class TS6Protocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
             modechar = mode[0][-1]
             if modechar in self.cmodes['*A']:
                 # Mode character is one of 'beIq'
-                if (modechar, mode[1]) in self.channels[channel].modes:
+                if (modechar, mode[1]) in self._channels[channel].modes:
                     # Don't reset modes that are already set.
                     continue
 
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ class TS6Protocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
             self._send_with_prefix(server, "SJOIN {ts} {channel} {modes} :{users}".format(
                     ts=ts, users=namelist, channel=channel,
                     modes=self.join_modes(regularmodes)))
-            self.channels[channel].users.update(uids)
+            self._channels[channel].users.update(uids)
 
         # Now, burst bans.
         # <- :42X BMASK 1424222769 #dev b :*!test@*.isp.net *!badident@*
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ class TS6Protocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
         modes = list(modes)
 
         if utils.isChannel(target):
-            ts = ts or self.channels[target].ts
+            ts = ts or self._channels[target].ts
             # TMODE:
             # parameters: channelTS, channel, cmode changes, opt. cmode parameters...
 
@@ -207,17 +207,17 @@ class TS6Protocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
         # source: server
         # propagation: broadcast
         # parameters: channel, topicTS, opt. topic setter, topic
-        ts = self.channels[target].ts
+        ts = self._channels[target].ts
         servername = self.servers[numeric].name
         self._send_with_prefix(numeric, 'TB %s %s %s :%s' % (target, ts, servername, text))
-        self.channels[target].topic = text
-        self.channels[target].topicset = True
+        self._channels[target].topic = text
+        self._channels[target].topicset = True
 
     def invite(self, numeric, target, channel):
         """Sends an INVITE from a PyLink client.."""
         if not self.is_internal_client(numeric):
             raise LookupError('No such PyLink client exists.')
-        self._send_with_prefix(numeric, 'INVITE %s %s %s' % (target, channel, self.channels[channel].ts))
+        self._send_with_prefix(numeric, 'INVITE %s %s %s' % (target, channel, self._channels[channel].ts))
 
     def knock(self, numeric, target, text):
         """Sends a KNOCK from a PyLink client."""
@@ -458,7 +458,7 @@ class TS6Protocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
         # parameters: channelTS, channel, simple modes, opt. mode parameters..., nicklist
         # <- :0UY SJOIN 1451041566 #channel +nt :@0UYAAAAAB
         channel = args[1]
-        chandata = self.channels[channel].deepcopy()
+        chandata = self._channels[channel].deepcopy()
         userlist = args[-1].split()
 
         modestring = args[2:-1] or args[2]
@@ -495,11 +495,11 @@ class TS6Protocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
 
             # Only save mode changes if the remote has lower TS than us.
             changedmodes |= {('+%s' % mode, user) for mode in finalprefix}
-            self.channels[channel].users.add(user)
+            self._channels[channel].users.add(user)
 
         # Statekeeping with timestamps
         their_ts = int(args[0])
-        our_ts = self.channels[channel].ts
+        our_ts = self._channels[channel].ts
         self.updateTS(servernumeric, channel, their_ts, changedmodes)
 
         return {'channel': channel, 'users': namelist, 'modes': parsedmodes, 'ts': their_ts,
@@ -516,7 +516,7 @@ class TS6Protocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
             log.debug('(%s) Got /join 0 from %r, channel list is %r',
                       self.name, numeric, oldchans)
             for channel in oldchans:
-                self.channels[channel].users.discard(numeric)
+                self._channels[channel].users.discard(numeric)
                 self.users[numeric].channels.discard(channel)
             return {'channels': oldchans, 'text': 'Left all channels.', 'parse_as': 'PART'}
         else:
@@ -524,12 +524,12 @@ class TS6Protocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
             self.updateTS(numeric, channel, ts)
 
             self.users[numeric].channels.add(channel)
-            self.channels[channel].users.add(numeric)
+            self._channels[channel].users.add(numeric)
 
         # We send users and modes here because SJOIN and JOIN both use one hook,
         # for simplicity's sake (with plugins).
         return {'channel': channel, 'users': [numeric], 'modes':
-                self.channels[channel].modes, 'ts': ts}
+                self._channels[channel].modes, 'ts': ts}
 
     def handle_euid(self, numeric, command, args):
         """Handles incoming EUID commands (user introduction)."""
@@ -610,7 +610,7 @@ class TS6Protocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
         # <- :42XAAAAAB TMODE 1437450768 #test -c+lkC 3 agte4
         # <- :0UYAAAAAD TMODE 0 #a +h 0UYAAAAAD
         channel = args[1]
-        oldobj = self.channels[channel].deepcopy()
+        oldobj = self._channels[channel].deepcopy()
         modes = args[2:]
         changedmodes = self.parse_modes(channel, modes)
         self.apply_modes(channel, changedmodes)
@@ -625,8 +625,8 @@ class TS6Protocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
         ts = args[1]
         setter = args[2]
         topic = args[-1]
-        self.channels[channel].topic = topic
-        self.channels[channel].topicset = True
+        self._channels[channel].topic = topic
+        self._channels[channel].topicset = True
         return {'channel': channel, 'setter': setter, 'ts': ts, 'text': topic}
 
     def handle_etb(self, numeric, command, args):
@@ -637,8 +637,8 @@ class TS6Protocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
         ts = args[2]
         setter = args[3]
         topic = args[-1]
-        self.channels[channel].topic = topic
-        self.channels[channel].topicset = True
+        self._channels[channel].topic = topic
+        self._channels[channel].topicset = True
         return {'channel': channel, 'setter': setter, 'ts': ts, 'text': topic}
 
     def handle_chghost(self, numeric, command, args):
diff --git a/protocols/unreal.py b/protocols/unreal.py
index ebb1b69..8691b75 100644
--- a/protocols/unreal.py
+++ b/protocols/unreal.py
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ class UnrealProtocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
         if not self.is_internal_client(client):
             raise LookupError('No such PyLink client exists.')
         self._send_with_prefix(client, "JOIN %s" % channel)
-        self.channels[channel].users.add(client)
+        self._channels[channel].users.add(client)
         self.users[client].channels.add(channel)
 
     def sjoin(self, server, channel, users, ts=None, modes=set()):
@@ -126,8 +126,8 @@ class UnrealProtocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
         if not server:
             raise LookupError('No such PyLink server exists.')
 
-        changedmodes = set(modes or self.channels[channel].modes)
-        orig_ts = self.channels[channel].ts
+        changedmodes = set(modes or self._channels[channel].modes)
+        orig_ts = self._channels[channel].ts
         ts = ts or orig_ts
         uids = []
         itemlist = []
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ class UnrealProtocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
             if modepair[0][-1] in self.cmodes['*A']:
                 # Bans, exempts, invex get expanded to forms like "&*!*@some.host" in SJOIN.
 
-                if (modepair[0][-1], modepair[1]) in self.channels[channel].modes:
+                if (modepair[0][-1], modepair[1]) in self._channels[channel].modes:
                     # Mode is already set; skip it.
                     continue
 
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ class UnrealProtocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
         for line in utils.wrapArguments(sjoin_prefix, itemlist, self.S2S_BUFSIZE):
             self.send(line)
 
-        self.channels[channel].users.update(uids)
+        self._channels[channel].users.update(uids)
 
         self.updateTS(server, channel, ts, changedmodes)
 
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ class UnrealProtocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
                     modes[idx] = (mode[0], self._expandPUID(mode[1]))
 
             # The MODE command is used for channel mode changes only
-            ts = ts or self.channels[target].ts
+            ts = ts or self._channels[target].ts
 
             # 7 characters for "MODE", the space between MODE and the target, the space between the
             # target and mode list, and the space between the mode list and TS.
@@ -532,15 +532,15 @@ class UnrealProtocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
             log.debug('(%s) Got /join 0 from %r, channel list is %r',
                       self.name, numeric, oldchans)
             for ch in oldchans:
-                self.channels[ch].users.discard(numeric)
+                self._channels[ch].users.discard(numeric)
                 self.users[numeric].channels.discard(ch)
             return {'channels': oldchans, 'text': 'Left all channels.', 'parse_as': 'PART'}
 
         else:
             for channel in args[0].split(','):
-                c = self.channels[channel]
+                c = self._channels[channel]
                 self.users[numeric].channels.add(channel)
-                self.channels[channel].users.add(numeric)
+                self._channels[channel].users.add(numeric)
                 # Call hooks manually, because one JOIN command in UnrealIRCd can
                 # have multiple channels...
                 self.call_hooks([numeric, command, {'channel': channel, 'users': [numeric], 'modes':
@@ -551,7 +551,7 @@ class UnrealProtocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
         # <- :001 SJOIN 1444361345 #test :001AAAAAA @001AAAAAB +001AAAAAC
         # <- :001 SJOIN 1483250129 #services +nt :+001OR9V02 @*~001DH6901 &*!*@test "*!*@blah.blah '*!*@yes.no
         channel = args[1]
-        chandata = self.channels[channel].deepcopy()
+        chandata = self._channels[channel].deepcopy()
         userlist = args[-1].split()
 
         namelist = []
@@ -614,9 +614,9 @@ class UnrealProtocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
                 # Only merge the remote's prefix modes if their TS is smaller or equal to ours.
                 changedmodes |= {('+%s' % mode, user) for mode in finalprefix}
 
-                self.channels[channel].users.add(user)
+                self._channels[channel].users.add(user)
 
-        our_ts = self.channels[channel].ts
+        our_ts = self._channels[channel].ts
         their_ts = int(args[0])
         self.updateTS(numeric, channel, their_ts, changedmodes)
 
@@ -677,7 +677,7 @@ class UnrealProtocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
         # Also, we need to get rid of that extra space following the +f argument. :|
         if utils.isChannel(args[0]):
             channel = args[0]
-            oldobj = self.channels[channel].deepcopy()
+            oldobj = self._channels[channel].deepcopy()
 
             modes = [arg for arg in args[1:] if arg]  # normalize whitespace
             parsedmodes = self.parse_modes(channel, modes)
@@ -688,7 +688,7 @@ class UnrealProtocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
                     # attempt to set modes by us was rejected for some reason (usually due to
                     # timestamps). Drop the mode change to prevent mode floods.
                     log.debug("(%s) Received mode bounce %s in channel %s! Our TS: %s",
-                              self.name, modes, channel, self.channels[channel].ts)
+                              self.name, modes, channel, self._channels[channel].ts)
                     return
 
                 self.apply_modes(channel, parsedmodes)
@@ -849,9 +849,9 @@ class UnrealProtocol(TS6BaseProtocol):
         setter = args[1]
         ts = args[2]
 
-        oldtopic = self.channels[channel].topic
-        self.channels[channel].topic = topic
-        self.channels[channel].topicset = True
+        oldtopic = self._channels[channel].topic
+        self._channels[channel].topic = topic
+        self._channels[channel].topicset = True
 
         return {'channel': channel, 'setter': setter, 'ts': ts, 'text': topic,
                 'oldtopic': oldtopic}