diff --git a/init/selinux.cpp b/init/selinux.cpp
index b9305ed47..dd49f8487 100644
--- a/init/selinux.cpp
+++ b/init/selinux.cpp
@@ -68,10 +68,10 @@ using android::base::unique_fd;
 namespace android {
 namespace init {
 
-static struct selabel_handle* sehandle = nullptr;
-
 namespace {
 
+selabel_handle* sehandle = nullptr;
+
 enum EnforcingStatus { SELINUX_PERMISSIVE, SELINUX_ENFORCING };
 
 EnforcingStatus StatusFromCmdline() {