diff --git a/org.el b/org.el
index 5e3bf7c4e..6a29205d9 100644
--- a/org.el
+++ b/org.el
@@ -156,6 +156,7 @@ With prefix arg HERE, insert it at point."
   :group 'org
   :type 'hook)
 
+(defvar org-modules)  ; defined below
 (defvar org-modules-loaded nil
   "Have the modules been loaded already?")