def _make_getter(component):
    """Make an attribute getter for use in a property.

    Parameters
    ----------
    component : str
        The name of the component that should be accessed.  This assumes the
        actual value is stored in an attribute of that name prefixed by '_'.
    """
    # This has to be done in a function to ensure the reference to component
    # is not lost/redirected.
    component = '_' + component

    def get_component(self):
        return getattr(self, component)
    return get_component