diff --git a/hemlock/key-event.lisp b/hemlock/key-event.lisp
index d2579b5797563cb40405a08c6f72195473a20466..2ce23406c8100f41109b4b7b5beffb81eb8eac2b 100644
--- a/hemlock/key-event.lisp
+++ b/hemlock/key-event.lisp
@@ -424,9 +424,13 @@
 (defvar *modifier-count* 0
   "The number of modifiers that is currently defined.")
 
+(eval-when (compile eval load)
+
 (defconstant modifier-count-limit 6
   "The maximum number of modifiers supported.")
 
+); eval-when
+
 ;;; This is purely a list for users.
 ;;;
 (defvar *all-modifier-names* ()