diff --git a/sysdep/unix/io-loop.c b/sysdep/unix/io-loop.c
index 6dca5f3c..e40e4986 100644
--- a/sysdep/unix/io-loop.c
+++ b/sysdep/unix/io-loop.c
@@ -418,7 +418,7 @@ birdloop_add_socket(struct birdloop *loop, sock *s)
   socket_changed(s);
 }
 
-extern sock *stored_sock; /* mainloop hack */
+sock *stored_sock; /* mainloop hack */
 
 void
 birdloop_remove_socket(struct birdloop *loop, sock *s)
diff --git a/sysdep/unix/io.c b/sysdep/unix/io.c
index 3dce3d8d..b09039dc 100644
--- a/sysdep/unix/io.c
+++ b/sysdep/unix/io.c
@@ -515,7 +515,7 @@ static int short_loops = 0;
 #define SHORT_LOOP_MAX 10
 #define WORK_EVENTS_MAX 10
 
-sock *stored_sock;
+extern sock *stored_sock; /* mainloop hack */
 
 int sk_read(sock *s, int revents);
 int sk_write(sock *s);