diff --git a/glib/gmacros.h b/glib/gmacros.h
index aed6d09d2..f67fbd5e0 100644
--- a/glib/gmacros.h
+++ b/glib/gmacros.h
@@ -247,15 +247,14 @@
 #  define G_STMT_END    while (0)
 #endif
 
-/* Allow the app programmer to select whether or not return values
- * (usually char*) are const or not.  Don't try using this feature for
- * functions with C++ linkage.
- */
+/* Deprecated -- do not use. */
+#ifndef G_DISABLE_DEPRECATED
 #ifdef G_DISABLE_CONST_RETURNS
 #define G_CONST_RETURN
 #else
 #define G_CONST_RETURN const
 #endif
+#endif
 
 /*
  * The G_LIKELY and G_UNLIKELY macros let the programmer give hints to