diff --git a/unittests/CMakeLists.txt b/unittests/CMakeLists.txt
index 6572ee80d6..a9be691ba3 100644
--- a/unittests/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/unittests/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ include_directories(${PX4_SRC}/drivers/device)
 include_directories(${PX4_SRC}/lib)
 include_directories(${PX4_SRC}/lib/DriverFramework/framework/include)
 include_directories(${PX4_SRC}/modules)
+include_directories(${PX4_SRC}/include)
 include_directories(${PX4_SRC}/modules/uORB)
 include_directories(${PX4_SRC}/platforms)
 include_directories(${PX4_SRC}/platforms/posix/include)
@@ -67,6 +68,10 @@ else()
 	add_definitions(-D__PX4_LINUX)
 endif()
 
+# the following flags only apply to the PX4 source
+set(CMAKE_C_FLAGS "${CMAKE_C_FLAGS} -include visibility.h")
+set(CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS "${CMAKE_CXX_FLAGS} -include visibility.h")
+
 set(PX4_PLATFORM
 	${PX4_SITL_BUILD}/libmsg_gen.a
 	${PX4_SITL_BUILD}/src/drivers/boards/sitl/libdrivers__boards__sitl.a
diff --git a/unittests/param_test.cpp b/unittests/param_test.cpp
index 986e0d4902..0352328c96 100644
--- a/unittests/param_test.cpp
+++ b/unittests/param_test.cpp
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-#include <systemlib/visibility.h>
 #include <systemlib/param/param.h>
 
 #include "gtest/gtest.h"