diff --git a/compiler/src/dotty/tools/dotc/parsing/JavaParsers.scala b/compiler/src/dotty/tools/dotc/parsing/JavaParsers.scala
index f5f016d740d2..4611554a01a3 100644
--- a/compiler/src/dotty/tools/dotc/parsing/JavaParsers.scala
+++ b/compiler/src/dotty/tools/dotc/parsing/JavaParsers.scala
@@ -594,7 +594,7 @@ object JavaParsers {
           val vparams = formalParams()
           if (!isVoid) rtpt = optArrayBrackets(rtpt)
           optThrows()
-          val bodyOk = !inInterface || mods.isOneOf(Flags.DefaultMethod | Flags.JavaStatic)
+          val bodyOk = !inInterface || mods.isOneOf(Flags.DefaultMethod | Flags.JavaStatic | Flags.Private)
           val body =
             if (bodyOk && in.token == LBRACE)
               methodBody()
diff --git a/tests/pos/i12956.java b/tests/pos/i12956.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..b29796d48b71
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/pos/i12956.java
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+interface Foo {
+  private void bar() {}
+}