diff --git a/nscd/nscd-client.h b/nscd/nscd-client.h
index 051a262c3e..3c9688fd30 100644
--- a/nscd/nscd-client.h
+++ b/nscd/nscd-client.h
@@ -44,6 +44,9 @@
 /* Path for the configuration file.  */
 #define _PATH_NSCDCONF	 "/etc/nscd.conf"
 
+/* Maximu allowed length for the key.  */
+#define MAXKEYLEN 1024
+
 
 /* Available services.  */
 typedef enum