diff --git a/qga/commands-posix.c b/qga/commands-posix.c
index dab3bf9c98..4a71c27c4a 100644
--- a/qga/commands-posix.c
+++ b/qga/commands-posix.c
@@ -22,8 +22,13 @@
 #include "host-utils.h"
 
 #ifndef CONFIG_HAS_ENVIRON
+#ifdef __APPLE__
+#include <crt_externs.h>
+#define environ (*_NSGetEnviron())
+#else
 extern char **environ;
 #endif
+#endif
 
 #if defined(__linux__)
 #include <mntent.h>