diff --git a/gdb/nat/windows-nat.c b/gdb/nat/windows-nat.c
index 2e4c4826797..a82aa89b085 100644
--- a/gdb/nat/windows-nat.c
+++ b/gdb/nat/windows-nat.c
@@ -20,6 +20,10 @@
 #include "nat/windows-nat.h"
 #include "gdbsupport/common-debug.h"
 
+#ifdef __CYGWIN__
+#define __USEWIDE
+#endif
+
 namespace windows_nat
 {