diff --git a/homeassistant/components/media_player/universal.py b/homeassistant/components/media_player/universal.py
index 22137170165..9bf7dff4d4f 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/media_player/universal.py
+++ b/homeassistant/components/media_player/universal.py
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ class UniversalMediaPlayer(MediaPlayerDevice):
 
     def _child_attr(self, attr_name):
         """ returns the active child's attr """
-        active_child = self.active_child_state
+        active_child = self._child_state
         return active_child.attributes.get(attr_name) if active_child else None
 
     def _call_service(self, service_name, service_data=None,
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ class UniversalMediaPlayer(MediaPlayerDevice):
         if service_data is None:
             service_data = {}
 
-        active_child = self.active_child_state
+        active_child = self._child_state
         service_data[ATTR_ENTITY_ID] = active_child.entity_id
 
         self.hass.services.call(DOMAIN, service_name, service_data,
@@ -222,11 +222,6 @@ class UniversalMediaPlayer(MediaPlayerDevice):
                 return
         self._child_state = None
 
-    @property
-    def active_child_state(self):
-        """ the state of the active child or none """
-        return self._child_state
-
     @property
     def name(self):
         """ name of universal player """
@@ -245,7 +240,7 @@ class UniversalMediaPlayer(MediaPlayerDevice):
         if master_state == STATE_OFF:
             return STATE_OFF
 
-        active_child = self.active_child_state
+        active_child = self._child_state
         if active_child:
             return active_child.state
 
@@ -366,7 +361,7 @@ class UniversalMediaPlayer(MediaPlayerDevice):
     @property
     def device_state_attributes(self):
         """ Extra attributes a device wants to expose. """
-        active_child = self.active_child_state
+        active_child = self._child_state
         return {ATTR_ACTIVE_CHILD: active_child.entity_id} \
             if active_child else {}
 
diff --git a/tests/components/media_player/test_universal.py b/tests/components/media_player/test_universal.py
index d9ebc43983f..910ffca2498 100644
--- a/tests/components/media_player/test_universal.py
+++ b/tests/components/media_player/test_universal.py
@@ -193,25 +193,25 @@ class TestMediaPlayer(unittest.TestCase):
         ump.entity_id = media_player.ENTITY_ID_FORMAT.format(config['name'])
         ump.update_state()
 
-        self.assertEqual(None, ump.active_child_state)
+        self.assertEqual(None, ump._child_state)
 
         self.mock_mp_1._state = STATE_PLAYING
         self.mock_mp_1.update_ha_state()
         ump.update_state()
         self.assertEqual(self.mock_mp_1.entity_id,
-                         ump.active_child_state.entity_id)
+                         ump._child_state.entity_id)
 
         self.mock_mp_2._state = STATE_PLAYING
         self.mock_mp_2.update_ha_state()
         ump.update_state()
         self.assertEqual(self.mock_mp_1.entity_id,
-                         ump.active_child_state.entity_id)
+                         ump._child_state.entity_id)
 
         self.mock_mp_1._state = STATE_OFF
         self.mock_mp_1.update_ha_state()
         ump.update_state()
         self.assertEqual(self.mock_mp_2.entity_id,
-                         ump.active_child_state.entity_id)
+                         ump._child_state.entity_id)
 
     def test_name(self):
         """ test name property """