diff --git a/arch/ia64/sn/kernel/irq.c b/arch/ia64/sn/kernel/irq.c
index 84d276a14ecb..392bf8a072b6 100644
--- a/arch/ia64/sn/kernel/irq.c
+++ b/arch/ia64/sn/kernel/irq.c
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ static void force_interrupt(int irq);
 static void register_intr_pda(struct sn_irq_info *sn_irq_info);
 static void unregister_intr_pda(struct sn_irq_info *sn_irq_info);
 
-extern int sn_force_interrupt_flag;
+int sn_force_interrupt_flag = 1;
 extern int sn_ioif_inited;
 static struct list_head **sn_irq_lh;
 static spinlock_t sn_irq_info_lock = SPIN_LOCK_UNLOCKED; /* non-IRQ lock */
diff --git a/arch/ia64/sn/kernel/sn2/sn_proc_fs.c b/arch/ia64/sn/kernel/sn2/sn_proc_fs.c
index 6a80fca807b9..266a3a84c01d 100644
--- a/arch/ia64/sn/kernel/sn2/sn_proc_fs.c
+++ b/arch/ia64/sn/kernel/sn2/sn_proc_fs.c
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ static int licenseID_open(struct inode *inode, struct file *file)
  * the bridge chip.  The hardware will then send an interrupt message if the
  * interrupt line is active.  This mimics a level sensitive interrupt.
  */
-int sn_force_interrupt_flag = 1;
+extern int sn_force_interrupt_flag;
 
 static int sn_force_interrupt_show(struct seq_file *s, void *p)
 {