diff --git a/drivers/net/bnx2x/bnx2x.h b/drivers/net/bnx2x/bnx2x.h
index 237609f8485..4afd29201a5 100644
--- a/drivers/net/bnx2x/bnx2x.h
+++ b/drivers/net/bnx2x/bnx2x.h
@@ -1373,6 +1373,14 @@ static inline u32 reg_poll(struct bnx2x *bp, u32 reg, u32 expected, int ms,
 #define BNX2X_VPD_LEN			128
 #define VENDOR_ID_LEN			4
 
+#ifdef BNX2X_MAIN
+#define BNX2X_EXTERN
+#else
+#define BNX2X_EXTERN extern
+#endif
+
+BNX2X_EXTERN int load_count[3]; /* 0-common, 1-port0, 2-port1 */
+
 /* MISC_REG_RESET_REG - this is here for the hsi to work don't touch */
 
 #endif /* bnx2x.h */
diff --git a/drivers/net/bnx2x/bnx2x_main.c b/drivers/net/bnx2x/bnx2x_main.c
index 1e0ac8bb246..0beaefb7a16 100644
--- a/drivers/net/bnx2x/bnx2x_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/bnx2x/bnx2x_main.c
@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@
 #include <linux/io.h>
 #include <linux/stringify.h>
 
-
+#define BNX2X_MAIN
 #include "bnx2x.h"
 #include "bnx2x_init.h"
 #include "bnx2x_init_ops.h"
@@ -121,8 +121,6 @@ static int debug;
 module_param(debug, int, 0);
 MODULE_PARM_DESC(debug, " Default debug msglevel");
 
-static int load_count[3]; /* 0-common, 1-port0, 2-port1 */
-
 static struct workqueue_struct *bnx2x_wq;
 
 enum bnx2x_board_type {