diff --git a/arch/mips/kernel/i8253.c b/arch/mips/kernel/i8253.c
index 38fa1a194bf4..b6ac55162b9a 100644
--- a/arch/mips/kernel/i8253.c
+++ b/arch/mips/kernel/i8253.c
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ static int pit_next_event(unsigned long delta, struct clock_event_device *evt)
  * registered. This mechanism replaces the previous #ifdef LOCAL_APIC -
  * !using_apic_timer decisions in do_timer_interrupt_hook()
  */
-struct clock_event_device pit_clockevent = {
+static struct clock_event_device pit_clockevent = {
 	.name		= "pit",
 	.features	= CLOCK_EVT_FEAT_PERIODIC | CLOCK_EVT_FEAT_ONESHOT,
 	.set_mode	= init_pit_timer,