diff --git a/src/sysdep.c b/src/sysdep.c
index 99119b925e1..778fa6f32e6 100644
--- a/src/sysdep.c
+++ b/src/sysdep.c
@@ -1237,11 +1237,15 @@ int old_fcntl_owner;
    but if so, this does no harm,
    and using the same name avoids wasting the other one's space.  */
 
+#ifdef nec_ews_svr4
+extern char *_sobuf ;
+#else
 #if defined (USG) || defined (DGUX)
 unsigned char _sobuf[BUFSIZ+8];
 #else
 char _sobuf[BUFSIZ];
 #endif
+#endif
  
 #ifdef HAVE_LTCHARS
 static struct ltchars new_ltchars = {-1,-1,-1,-1,-1,-1};