diff --git a/src/qpid/sys/windows/QpidDllMain.h b/src/qpid/sys/windows/QpidDllMain.h
index 74eaf0256..ffd62f32c 100644
--- a/src/qpid/sys/windows/QpidDllMain.h
+++ b/src/qpid/sys/windows/QpidDllMain.h
@@ -39,8 +39,8 @@ namespace qpid {
 namespace sys {
 namespace windows {
 
-QPID_IMPORT bool processExiting;
-QPID_IMPORT bool libraryUnloading;
+QPID_IMPORT extern bool processExiting;
+QPID_IMPORT extern bool libraryUnloading;
 
 }}} // namespace qpid::sys::SystemInfo