diff --git a/drivers/serial/serial_sbi.c b/drivers/serial/serial_sbi.c
index a51a96c1ef0..f3ecfccab43 100644
--- a/drivers/serial/serial_sbi.c
+++ b/drivers/serial/serial_sbi.c
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ static inline void _debug_uart_putc(int c)
 
 #else
 
-static int sbi_dbcn_available;
+static int sbi_dbcn_available __section(".data");
 
 static inline void _debug_uart_init(void)
 {