diff --git a/drivers/staging/octeon/ethernet-rgmii.c b/drivers/staging/octeon/ethernet-rgmii.c
index ea53af30dfa7..40297ceb86af 100644
--- a/drivers/staging/octeon/ethernet-rgmii.c
+++ b/drivers/staging/octeon/ethernet-rgmii.c
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@
 #include <asm/octeon/cvmx-npi-defs.h>
 #include <asm/octeon/cvmx-gmxx-defs.h>
 
-DEFINE_SPINLOCK(global_register_lock);
+static DEFINE_SPINLOCK(global_register_lock);
 
 static int number_rgmii_ports;