diff --git a/drivers/staging/wilc1000/host_interface.c b/drivers/staging/wilc1000/host_interface.c
index 40581bcfa78d..0947e93db0df 100644
--- a/drivers/staging/wilc1000/host_interface.c
+++ b/drivers/staging/wilc1000/host_interface.c
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ static WILC_MsgQueueHandle hif_msg_q;
 static struct semaphore hif_sema_thread;
 static struct semaphore hif_sema_driver;
 static struct semaphore hif_sema_wait_response;
-struct semaphore hif_sema_deinit;
+static struct semaphore hif_sema_deinit;
 struct timer_list g_hPeriodicRSSI;