diff --git a/include/dalist/dalist_api.h b/include/dalist/dalist_api.h
index e14249a..bfa6dd9 100644
--- a/include/dalist/dalist_api.h
+++ b/include/dalist/dalist_api.h
@@ -18,13 +18,20 @@
 #define dalist_import
 #endif
 
+/* protected visibility */
+#if	defined(__attr_protected__)
+#define dalist_protected __attr_protected__
+#else
+#define dalist_protected
+#endif
+
 /* dalist_api */
 #if     defined (DALIST_EXPORT)
 #define dalist_api dalist_export
 #elif   defined (DALIST_IMPORT)
 #define dalist_api dalist_import
 #elif   defined (DALIST_STATIC)
-#define dalist_api
+#define dalist_api dalist_protected
 #else
 #define dalist_api
 #endif