diff --git a/gdk/x11/gdkx11display.h b/gdk/x11/gdkx11display.h
index 70e8a140d5..b544ac47bc 100644
--- a/gdk/x11/gdkx11display.h
+++ b/gdk/x11/gdkx11display.h
@@ -38,7 +38,11 @@
 
 G_BEGIN_DECLS
 
+#ifdef GDK_COMPILATION
 typedef struct _GdkX11Display GdkX11Display;
+#else
+typedef GdkDisplay GdkX11Display;
+#endif
 typedef struct _GdkX11DisplayClass GdkX11DisplayClass;
 
 #define GDK_TYPE_X11_DISPLAY              (gdk_x11_display_get_type())