diff --git a/rules-tests/DeadCode/Rector/Property/RemoveDefaultValueFromAssignedPropertyRector/Fixture/skip_protected_property_on_non_final_class.php.inc b/rules-tests/DeadCode/Rector/Property/RemoveDefaultValueFromAssignedPropertyRector/Fixture/skip_protected_property_on_non_final_class.php.inc
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..f595777395e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/rules-tests/DeadCode/Rector/Property/RemoveDefaultValueFromAssignedPropertyRector/Fixture/skip_protected_property_on_non_final_class.php.inc
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace Rector\Tests\DeadCode\Rector\Property\RemoveDefaultValueFromAssignedPropertyRector\Fixture;
+
+class SkipProtectedPropertyOnNonFinalClass
+{
+    protected int $value = 5;
+
+    public function __construct(int $value)
+    {
+        $this->value = $value;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/rules/DeadCode/Rector/Property/RemoveDefaultValueFromAssignedPropertyRector.php b/rules/DeadCode/Rector/Property/RemoveDefaultValueFromAssignedPropertyRector.php
index e00ac05b75e..ca54313c38b 100644
--- a/rules/DeadCode/Rector/Property/RemoveDefaultValueFromAssignedPropertyRector.php
+++ b/rules/DeadCode/Rector/Property/RemoveDefaultValueFromAssignedPropertyRector.php
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 use PhpParser\Node\Stmt\Class_;
 use PhpParser\Node\Stmt\ClassMethod;
 use PhpParser\Node\Stmt\Return_;
+use Rector\Configuration\Parameter\FeatureFlags;
 use Rector\NodeAnalyzer\PropertyFetchAnalyzer;
 use Rector\PhpParser\Node\BetterNodeFinder;
 use Rector\Rector\AbstractRector;
@@ -89,6 +90,7 @@ public function refactor(Node $node): ?Node
         }
 
         $hasChanged = false;
+        $isFinal = $node->isFinal() || FeatureFlags::treatClassesAsFinal($node);
 
         foreach ($node->getProperties() as $property) {
             // untyped properties are handled by RemoveNullPropertyInitializationRector
@@ -100,6 +102,10 @@ public function refactor(Node $node): ?Node
                 continue;
             }
 
+            if (! $property->isPrivate() && ! $isFinal) {
+                continue;
+            }
+
             foreach ($property->props as $propertyProperty) {
                 if (! $propertyProperty->default instanceof Expr) {
                     continue;