diff --git a/src/pkg/runtime/extern.go b/src/pkg/runtime/extern.go
index 53b86b764da..a397c3b9057 100644
--- a/src/pkg/runtime/extern.go
+++ b/src/pkg/runtime/extern.go
@@ -71,9 +71,7 @@ func Signame(sig int32) string
 // be called during initialization.
 func Siginit()
 
-// MemStats holds statistics about the memory system.
-// The statistics are only approximate, as they are not interlocked on update.
-var MemStats struct {
+type MemStatsType struct {
 	Alloc      uint64
 	Sys        uint64
 	Stacks     uint64
@@ -84,6 +82,10 @@ var MemStats struct {
 	EnableGC   bool
 }
 
+// MemStats holds statistics about the memory system.
+// The statistics are only approximate, as they are not interlocked on update.
+var MemStats MemStatsType
+
 // Alloc allocates a block of the given size.
 // FOR TESTING AND DEBUGGING ONLY.
 func Alloc(uintptr) *byte