diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index 0e1abe55f9..48624cc081 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -437,6 +437,7 @@ if building_full
   # Build shared library
   gstfull = build_target('gstreamer-full-1.0',
     init_static_plugins_c,
+    c_args: ['-DBUILDING_GST'],
     target_type: get_option('gst-full-target-type'),
     link_args: gstfull_link_args,
     link_whole : exposed_libs,
@@ -445,7 +446,7 @@ if building_full
     install : true,
   )
   gst_full_c_flags =  []
-  if building_full_static
+  if building_full_static or get_option('default_library') == 'static'
     gst_full_c_flags += ['-DGST_STATIC_COMPILATION']
   endif
 
diff --git a/scripts/generate_init_static_plugins.py b/scripts/generate_init_static_plugins.py
index af8b275541..01bc257835 100755
--- a/scripts/generate_init_static_plugins.py
+++ b/scripts/generate_init_static_plugins.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ $dynamic_types_declaration
 $plugins_declaration
 $giomodules_declaration
 
+_GST_EXPORT
 void
 gst_init_static_plugins (void)
 {