diff --git a/ryu/lib/packet/packet_base.py b/ryu/lib/packet/packet_base.py
index 20964580..437678b3 100644
--- a/ryu/lib/packet/packet_base.py
+++ b/ryu/lib/packet/packet_base.py
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ class PacketBase(object):
     def __init__(self):
         super(PacketBase, self).__init__()
         self.length = 0
+        self.protocol_name = self.__class__.__name__
 
     @classmethod
     def parser(cls):