diff --git a/slurm-spank-x11-plug.c b/slurm-spank-x11-plug.c
index bef6c14..feaf041 100644
--- a/slurm-spank-x11-plug.c
+++ b/slurm-spank-x11-plug.c
@@ -36,6 +36,10 @@
 
 #include <stdint.h>
 
+#ifndef SLURM_BACKWARD_COMPAT
+#define SLURM_BACKWARD_COMPAT 1
+#endif
+
 #include <slurm/slurm.h>
 #include <slurm/spank.h>