diff --git a/protobuf-c/protobuf-c.c b/protobuf-c/protobuf-c.c
index aff3526..7e0fad1 100644
--- a/protobuf-c/protobuf-c.c
+++ b/protobuf-c/protobuf-c.c
@@ -84,7 +84,9 @@
 # define PROTOBUF_C_UNPACK_ERROR(...)
 #endif
 
+#if !defined(_WIN32) || !defined(PROTOBUF_C_USE_SHARED_LIB)
 const char protobuf_c_empty_string[] = "";
+#endif
 
 /**
  * Internal `ProtobufCMessage` manipulation macro.
diff --git a/protobuf-c/protobuf-c.h b/protobuf-c/protobuf-c.h
index da6cf67..92db99b 100755
--- a/protobuf-c/protobuf-c.h
+++ b/protobuf-c/protobuf-c.h
@@ -238,7 +238,11 @@ PROTOBUF_C__BEGIN_DECLS
 #define PROTOBUF_C__ENUM_DESCRIPTOR_MAGIC       0x114315af
 
 /* Empty string used for initializers */
+#if defined(_WIN32) && defined(PROTOBUF_C_USE_SHARED_LIB)
+static const char protobuf_c_empty_string[] = "";
+#else
 extern const char protobuf_c_empty_string[];
+#endif
 
 /**
  * \defgroup api Public API