diff --git a/build.zig b/build.zig
index 3519786ec7..bcae54f001 100644
--- a/build.zig
+++ b/build.zig
@@ -498,6 +498,7 @@ pub fn build(b: *std.Build) !void {
         .root_module = nvim_mod,
     }) else b.addExecutable(.{ .name = "nvim", .root_module = nvim_mod });
     nvim_exe.rdynamic = true; // -E
+    nvim_exe.link_gc_sections = false; // prevent linker from gc:ing exported symbols #40622
     if (emscripten_libc_path) |lp| nvim_exe.setLibCFile(lp);
     if (is_wasm) nvim_exe.entry = .disabled;
     if (is_wasm) nvim_exe.linker_allow_shlib_undefined = true;