diff --git a/lisp/emacs-lisp/copyright.el b/lisp/emacs-lisp/copyright.el
index cf858a25fcf..646a52cdae5 100644
--- a/lisp/emacs-lisp/copyright.el
+++ b/lisp/emacs-lisp/copyright.el
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 (defvar current-gpl-version "2"
   "String representing the current version of the GPL.")
 
+;;;###autoload
 (defvar replace-copying-with nil
   "*If non-nil, replace copying notices with this file.")