diff --git a/tools/testing/selftests/kvm/x86_64/xen_shinfo_test.c b/tools/testing/selftests/kvm/x86_64/xen_shinfo_test.c
index caa3f5ab9e109..2a5727188c8d3 100644
--- a/tools/testing/selftests/kvm/x86_64/xen_shinfo_test.c
+++ b/tools/testing/selftests/kvm/x86_64/xen_shinfo_test.c
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ struct {
 	struct kvm_irq_routing_entry entries[2];
 } irq_routes;
 
-bool guest_saw_irq;
+static volatile bool guest_saw_irq;
 
 static void evtchn_handler(struct ex_regs *regs)
 {