diff --git a/sql-common/client_plugin.c b/sql-common/client_plugin.c
index 133d008f99b..063fc5c6dc6 100644
--- a/sql-common/client_plugin.c
+++ b/sql-common/client_plugin.c
@@ -28,6 +28,11 @@
   There is no reference counting and no unloading either.
 */
 
+#if _MSC_VER
+/* Silence warnings about variable 'unused' being used. */
+#define FORCE_INIT_OF_VARS 1
+#endif
+
 #include <my_global.h>
 #include "mysql.h"
 #include <my_sys.h>