diff --git a/nmap.h b/nmap.h
index 54aefb5fa..64676f6e4 100644
--- a/nmap.h
+++ b/nmap.h
@@ -256,7 +256,8 @@ void *realloc();
 #define MAX_TIMEOUTS MAX_SOCKETS   /* How many timed out connection attempts 
 				      in a row before we decide the host is 
 				      dead? */
-#define STR(X) #X
+#define _STR(X) #X
+#define STR(X)  _STR(X)
 #define DEFAULT_TCP_PROBE_PORT 80 /* The ports TCP ping probes go to if
                                      unspecified by user -- uber hackers
                                      change this to 113 */