diff --git a/include/h.h b/include/h.h
index 11141b9b3..83942653b 100644
--- a/include/h.h
+++ b/include/h.h
@@ -776,3 +776,4 @@ extern char *unreal_time_synch_error(void);
 extern int unreal_time_synch(int timeout);
 extern int extban_is_banned_helper(char *buf);
 extern char *getcloak(aClient *sptr);
+extern MODVAR char modebuf[BUFSIZE], parabuf[BUFSIZE];
diff --git a/src/channel.c b/src/channel.c
index 2bda1cb63..713ac6c0a 100644
--- a/src/channel.c
+++ b/src/channel.c
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ void chanfloodtimer_stopchantimers(aChannel *chptr);
  * some buffers for rebuilding channel/nick lists with ,'s
  */
 static char nickbuf[BUFSIZE], buf[BUFSIZE];
-char modebuf[BUFSIZE], parabuf[BUFSIZE];
+MODVAR char modebuf[BUFSIZE], parabuf[BUFSIZE];
 #include "sjoin.h"
 
 #define MODESYS_LINKOK		/* We do this for a TEST  */