diff --git a/src/if_python3.c b/src/if_python3.c
index 2f98a04..daf517f 100644
--- a/src/if_python3.c
+++ b/src/if_python3.c
@@ -699,8 +699,6 @@
  * 1. Python interpreter main program.
  */
 
-static PyGILState_STATE pygilstate = PyGILState_UNLOCKED;
-
     void
 python3_end()
 {
@@ -718,7 +716,7 @@
     if (Py_IsInitialized())
     {
 	// acquire lock before finalizing
-	pygilstate = PyGILState_Ensure();
+	PyGILState_Ensure();
 
 	Py_Finalize();
     }
@@ -826,6 +824,7 @@
 #endif
     PyObject		*cmdstr;
     PyObject		*cmdbytes;
+    PyGILState_STATE	pygilstate;
 
 #if defined(MACOS) && !defined(MACOS_X_UNIX)
     GetPort(&oldPort);