diff --git a/src/grib_api_internal.h b/src/grib_api_internal.h
index 53f276b0f..b48aed6ff 100644
--- a/src/grib_api_internal.h
+++ b/src/grib_api_internal.h
@@ -1469,7 +1469,8 @@ struct grib_smart_table
     grib_smart_table_entry* entries;
 };
 
-#if defined(ECCODES_TIMER)
+
+#if ECCODES_TIMER
 typedef struct grib_timer
 {
     struct timeval start_;
@@ -1488,6 +1489,11 @@ typedef struct grib_timer
 
     struct grib_timer* next_;
 } grib_timer;
+#else
+typedef struct grib_timer
+{
+    char nothing;
+} grib_timer;
 #endif
 
 typedef struct j2k_encode_helper