diff --git a/src/nvim/msgpack_rpc/channel.h b/src/nvim/msgpack_rpc/channel.h
index 9ff5abdc5f..90e1c7d48b 100644
--- a/src/nvim/msgpack_rpc/channel.h
+++ b/src/nvim/msgpack_rpc/channel.h
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
 /// HACK: os/input.c drains this queue immediately before blocking for input.
 ///       Events on this queue are async-safe, but they need the resolved state
 ///       of os_inchar(), so they are processed "just-in-time".
-MultiQueue *ch_before_blocking_events;
+EXTERN MultiQueue *ch_before_blocking_events INIT(= NULL);
 
 
 #ifdef INCLUDE_GENERATED_DECLARATIONS