diff --git a/mozilla/modules/plugin/samples/default/windows/Makefile.in b/mozilla/modules/plugin/samples/default/windows/Makefile.in
index 2407d2dadf0..eb60fd10fd9 100644
--- a/mozilla/modules/plugin/samples/default/windows/Makefile.in
+++ b/mozilla/modules/plugin/samples/default/windows/Makefile.in
@@ -73,6 +73,9 @@ FORCE_SHARED_LIB = 1
 # Force use of PIC
 FORCE_USE_PIC	= 1
 
+# must link statically with the CRT to avoid problems with VC8
+USE_STATIC_LIBS = 1
+
 NO_DIST_INSTALL	= 1
 NO_INSTALL = 1