diff --git a/development/cygwin/Makefile.am b/development/cygwin/Makefile.am
index 5e9e22e933..16c093579b 100644
--- a/development/cygwin/Makefile.am
+++ b/development/cygwin/Makefile.am
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 include $(top_srcdir)/config/common.am
 
 .c.o:
-	$(CC) -I$(top_builddir) $< -O2 -c -o $@ -mwindows -e _mainCRTStartup
+	$(CC) -I$(top_builddir) $< -O2 -c -o $@
 
 .rc.o:
 	cp $(top_srcdir)/development/Win32/packaging/icons/lyx_*32x32.ico .
@@ -14,6 +14,9 @@ dist_noinst_DATA = lyxprofile
 lyxeditor_SOURCES = lyxeditor.c
 lyxwin_SOURCES = lyxwin.c lyxwinres.rc
 
+lyxeditor_LDFLAGS=-mwindows -e _mainCRTStartup
+lyxwin_LDFLAGS=-mwindows -e _mainCRTStartup
+
 CLEANFILES += lyxeditor.sh lyx_32x32.ico lyx_doc_32x32.ico
 
 lyxeditor.sh: