--- a/src/toplev.cc
+++ b/src/toplev.cc
@@ -78,6 +78,10 @@
 // TRUE means we are exiting via the builtin exit or quit functions.
 static bool quitting_gracefully = false;
 
+// TRUE means we are ready to interpret commands, but not everything
+// is ready for interactive use.
+bool octave_interpreter_ready = false;
+
 // TRUE means we've processed all the init code and we are good to go.
 bool octave_initialized = false;