diff --git a/contrib/bmake/main.c b/contrib/bmake/main.c
index 7dd4c504f122..b1e893e569e4 100644
--- a/contrib/bmake/main.c
+++ b/contrib/bmake/main.c
@@ -199,6 +199,8 @@ char *makeDependfile;
 pid_t myPid;
 int makelevel;
 
+FILE	*debug_file;
+
 Boolean forceJobs = FALSE;
 
 /*
diff --git a/contrib/bmake/make.h b/contrib/bmake/make.h
index c14b2c6bc67e..69cd56e705d0 100644
--- a/contrib/bmake/make.h
+++ b/contrib/bmake/make.h
@@ -464,7 +464,7 @@ extern pid_t	myPid;
  *	There is one bit per module.  It is up to the module what debug
  *	information to print.
  */
-FILE *debug_file;		/* Output written here - default stdout */
+extern FILE *debug_file;	/* Output written here - default stdout */
 extern int debug;
 #define	DEBUG_ARCH	0x00001
 #define	DEBUG_COND	0x00002