diff --git a/arch/arm/mach-ixp2000/pci.c b/arch/arm/mach-ixp2000/pci.c
index d4bf1e1c0031..5a09a90c08fb 100644
--- a/arch/arm/mach-ixp2000/pci.c
+++ b/arch/arm/mach-ixp2000/pci.c
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@
 
 #include <asm/mach/pci.h>
 
-static int pci_master_aborts = 0;
+static volatile int pci_master_aborts = 0;
 
 static int clear_master_aborts(void);