diff --git a/src/fe-common/core/fe-messages.c b/src/fe-common/core/fe-messages.c
index e210c2a2..31bbbfad 100644
--- a/src/fe-common/core/fe-messages.c
+++ b/src/fe-common/core/fe-messages.c
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@
 
 #define ishighalnum(c) ((unsigned char) (c) >= 128 || i_isalnum(c))
 
-static GHashTable *printnicks;
+GHashTable *printnicks;
 
 /* convert _underlined_ and *bold* words (and phrases) to use real
    underlining or bolding */
diff --git a/src/fe-common/core/fe-messages.h b/src/fe-common/core/fe-messages.h
index afe7644d..07ecef80 100644
--- a/src/fe-common/core/fe-messages.h
+++ b/src/fe-common/core/fe-messages.h
@@ -7,4 +7,6 @@ char *expand_emphasis(WI_ITEM_REC *item, const char *text);
 
 char *channel_get_nickmode(CHANNEL_REC *channel, const char *nick);
 
+extern GHashTable *printnicks;
+
 #endif