diff --git a/src/system/libroot/os/arch/x86/system_time_asm.S b/src/system/libroot/os/arch/x86/system_time_asm.S
index c5251c4e5d..5447795b5e 100644
--- a/src/system/libroot/os/arch/x86/system_time_asm.S
+++ b/src/system/libroot/os/arch/x86/system_time_asm.S
@@ -6,11 +6,11 @@
 #include <asm_defs.h>
 
 
-.text
-
 /* saves the conversion factor needed for system_time */
-cv_factor:
-	.word 0
+.lcomm cv_factor 4
+
+
+.text
 
 FUNCTION(__x86_setup_system_time):
 	movl	4(%esp),%eax