diff --git a/target/xtensa/import_core.sh b/target/xtensa/import_core.sh
index 1120a4a2a5..396b264be9 100755
--- a/target/xtensa/import_core.sh
+++ b/target/xtensa/import_core.sh
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ tar -xf "$OVERLAY" -O binutils/xtensa-modules.c | \
         -e '/^#include "ansidecl.h"/d' \
         -e '/^Slot_[a-zA-Z0-9_]\+_decode (const xtensa_insnbuf insn)/,/^}/s/^  return 0;$/  return XTENSA_UNDEFINED;/' \
         -e 's/#include <xtensa-isa.h>/#include "xtensa-isa.h"/' \
+        -e 's/^\(xtensa_isa_internal xtensa_modules\)/static \1/' \
     > "$TARGET"/xtensa-modules.c.inc
 
 cat <<EOF > "${TARGET}.c"