diff --git a/src/maa.c b/src/maa.c
index 631724e..b02061c 100644
--- a/src/maa.c
+++ b/src/maa.c
@@ -40,6 +40,12 @@ maa_get_version()
     return gVERSION;
 }
 
+#ifndef SWIG
+// this sets a compiler attribute (supported by GCC & clang) to have maa_init()
+// be called as a constructor make sure your libc supports this!  uclibc needs
+// to be compiled with UCLIBC_CTOR_DTOR
+maa_result_t maa_init() __attribute__((constructor));
+#endif
 maa_result_t
 maa_init()
 {