diff --git a/src/mail.c b/src/mail.c
index d904dddc0..87ff8ada0 100644
--- a/src/mail.c
+++ b/src/mail.c
@@ -466,7 +466,7 @@ readmail(struct obj *otmp UNUSED)
     int i;
     enum delivery_types delivery = normal_delivery;
     const char *recipient = 0;
-    const char *const junk_templates[] = {
+    static const char *const junk_templates[] = {
         "%sReport bugs to <%s>.%s", /*** must be first entry ***/
         "Please disregard previous letter.",
         "Welcome to NetHack.",