diff --git a/lib/util.c b/lib/util.c
index 6ecbdf484..9d7c4e32f 100644
--- a/lib/util.c
+++ b/lib/util.c
@@ -57,8 +57,6 @@
 
 /*** global variables ****************************************************************************/
 
-int easy_patterns = 1;
-
 char *user_recent_timeformat = NULL;    /* time format string for recent dates */
 char *user_old_timeformat = NULL;       /* time format string for older dates */
 
diff --git a/lib/util.h b/lib/util.h
index 4ff30a81b..ec366d483 100644
--- a/lib/util.h
+++ b/lib/util.h
@@ -120,8 +120,6 @@ typedef struct hook
 extern char *user_recent_timeformat;    /* time format string for recent dates */
 extern char *user_old_timeformat;       /* time format string for older dates */
 
-extern int easy_patterns;
-
 extern struct sigaction startup_handler;
 
 /*** declarations of public functions ************************************************************/
diff --git a/src/setup.c b/src/setup.c
index 8fd0d9705..3620ef6c3 100644
--- a/src/setup.c
+++ b/src/setup.c
@@ -110,6 +110,8 @@ panels_options_t panels_options = {
     .qsearch_mode = QSEARCH_PANEL_CASE
 };
 
+int easy_patterns = 1;
+
 /*** file scope macro definitions **************************************/
 
 /* In order to use everywhere the same setup for the locale we use defines */
diff --git a/src/setup.h b/src/setup.h
index bcc25a6b4..2e6ce3df6 100644
--- a/src/setup.h
+++ b/src/setup.h
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ extern int select_flags;
 extern int setup_copymove_persistent_attr;
 extern int num_history_items_recorded;
 extern int classic_progressbar;
+extern int easy_patterns;
 
 /* TAB length for editor and viewer */
 #define DEFAULT_TAB_SPACING 8