diff --git a/sys/alpha/pci/irongate.c b/sys/alpha/pci/irongate.c
index 3983ccac586..4cfdd746dc6 100644
--- a/sys/alpha/pci/irongate.c
+++ b/sys/alpha/pci/irongate.c
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ void
 irongate_init()
 {
 	static int initted = 0;
-	struct bwx_space io_space, mem_space;
+	static struct bwx_space io_space, mem_space;
 
 	if (initted) return;
 	initted = 1;