diff --git a/configure.ac b/configure.ac
index ce2863381..36058466b 100644
--- a/configure.ac
+++ b/configure.ac
@@ -623,6 +623,10 @@ case $host in
     ;;
 esac
 
+if test $is_win32 = yes; then
+    AC_DEFINE([WIN32_LEAN_AND_MEAN], [1], [1 to exclude old conflicting definitions when building on Windows])
+fi
+
 if test $build_parport = yes; then
   build_bitbang=yes
   AC_DEFINE([BUILD_PARPORT], [1], [1 if you want parport.])
diff --git a/src/helper/replacements.h b/src/helper/replacements.h
index 565fe9dca..277660228 100644
--- a/src/helper/replacements.h
+++ b/src/helper/replacements.h
@@ -135,7 +135,6 @@ static inline unsigned usleep(unsigned int usecs)
 /* Windows specific */
 #ifdef _WIN32
 
-#define WIN32_LEAN_AND_MEAN
 #include <windows.h>
 #include <time.h>